ALT Quote graphic James Smith, Chief Economist at the Resolution Foundation, said: “Having experienced 13 years’ worth of inflation over the past five, families across the country are struggling with the cost of living. Unfortunately, help is needed just when the public finances leave less room than ever to provide it. “While the hit to incomes from rising prices has been felt right across the board, the hardship has not been equally shared. It is poorer families who have cut back hardest on heating and are falling behind fastest on essential bills, and conflict in the Middle East is set to keep energy prices high. “The Government can't borrow its way out of this, and repeating the expensive blanket support of 2022 isn't an option. Any new help must be squarely targeted at the poorer families facing the greatest hardship – starting with their energy bills.”