5 CASES THAT NEED HELP...

The Pensioners Ron Green, 85, and wife Sue, 74, from Thetford in Norfolk, say they are just muddling along financially. They only manage as they are really careful and shop at the discount stores. They would love to not penny pinch and be able to have the odd treat.

The Single Mum Helen Fletcher, 44, juggles two jobs and bringing up her children Mia, 13, and Tom, 10. The mum from Lincolnshire is forced to rely on her credit card to get through the month. She says she has nothing left to cut back on so she hopes she won’t be worse off after today.

The NHS Worker Sharon Lucas Croft, 47, from Tunbridge Wells in Kent, is a rapid response worker who scrapes by on £300 a month after paying her essential bills. That’s for food, clothing and everything else for her three kids. She wants the Chancellor to increase NHS wages so she can afford to live, rather than struggle day after day.

The Family Marcus Greenhalgh, 46, lives with wife Kate, 37, and children, Meg, 9, Martha, 6, and four-year-old Cecily in Ramsbottom in Lancs. He is the sole earner and says it’s a constant worry trying to keep on top of rising costs with a young family. He hopes there are no nasty surprises today.

The Small Business Tim Prizeman, 51, is managing director of Kelso Consulting and is based in Newbury, Berks. His firm has a team of five, three staff and two freelancers. His top concern is the cost of taking on and training new staff. He says employer National Insurance just adds to the costs of hiring and training and makes it tough for small businesses to afford to take on more staff.