Myths about generous benefits mask the truth of Tory Britain: shamefully low taxes for the rich | Polly Toynbee

Until a hero like Marcus Rashford forces people to confront the reality of hungry children, misinformation and complacency about the lives of the poorest reign

This week, a member of the Tory-voting audience in the BBC leadership debate said the following: I'm really happy the government have basically contributed towards universal credit and people on benefits, but I'm a single parent, I work full-time and I travel and I'm struggling." It's true that all but the richest people are struggling with soaring inflation. But the question implied something else: that those on universal credit are managing, that the state looks after them, while those who earn their living have to struggle.

The facts, according to the Resolution Foundation, are these: The basic level of benefits is now just 77 per week - only 13% of average pay and its lowest level on record." Inflation, meanwhile, has hit the poorest people hardest because those with least spend the highest proportion of their income on energy and food and these prices have rocketed. And people who are low-earners earn too little to pay much or any income tax, so Liz Truss's vaunted cuts barely touch them. Here's the truly staggering tax cut fact that she hasn't been challenged on. Of Truss's colossal 30bn cut, a bare 15% will go to the bottom half of all earners. The top half gain 85% from this windfall, while the top 5% get 28% of it.

Polly Toynbee is a Guardian columnist