Budget reactions: workers say tax and rent squeeze leaves little spare

Across the UK, workers from various income brackets report that new tax and benefit rules are not keeping pace with the cost of living. The responses range from a chef in London to a florist in West Yorkshire, all citing specific financial pressures that persist despite the Chancellor's recent announcements.

Louie, 24, earns between £37,000 and £40,000 a year as a chef. He says rent and bills now consume about half his salary. His landlord recently announced a £200 monthly rent increase for November. He is saving for a house through a stocks and shares account and an Isa, but plans to wait until his late 20s or early 30s to buy due to the high cost of property.

Graham Robinson, 45, runs a business in Greater Manchester and earned £126,000 last year. He notes that after tax, his take-home pay is roughly £6,500 a month. His mortgage payments have risen from approximately £900 to £1,300. Robinson points to the gradual withdrawal of the personal allowance on income over £100,000, which effectively creates a 60% marginal tax rate for some earners.

Helen, 40, lives in south-west London and works in communications. Her family's mortgage payment increased by more than £600 a month when interest rates rose. They have fixed the rate until 2028. Helen received a £100 energy payment based on her council tax band D status, though she finds the distribution method odd since it is not based on financial need.

Peter Pillinger, 72, is a widower in Lancashire whose state pension makes up about half his income. He supports the scrapping of standing charges on gas bills, arguing that these fixed fees are regressive. However, he notes the change will not take effect until at least next spring. He also questions how households survive on just the state pension.

Danielle Walker, 37, is a self-employed florist in Wakefield. She says rising fuel prices increase both her delivery costs and the price of flowers. The higher mileage rate of 35p a mile does not apply to her because she works from a studio. She often absorbs delivery costs herself to avoid losing customers who view flowers as a luxury item.

Jonny Roberts, 39, is a single father in Berkshire. He earns enough to cover essentials but struggles with the gap between universal credit and actual rent. He receives £1,200 a month toward housing but pays £1,300 for his flat. For every extra pound he earns above his work allowance, his universal credit is reduced by 55p. He supports the expansion of free breakfast clubs to 2,000 more schools but notes there are 17,000 primary schools in the country.