Sunak urged to raise benefits by left- and rightwing economists

Thinktanks say chancellor must act to cushion impact of inflation on the poorest in spring statement

Chancellor Rishi Sunak faces demands from economists across the political spectrum to increase benefits and the state pension by about 8% in his spring statement next week, in order to help alleviate the worst cost-of-living crisis for decades.

A Resolution Foundation report on the state of the economy on Monday shows that only such drastic action will allow millions of people on low incomes to maintain their living standards at current levels.