Older people in particular have been impacted by the sharp increase in bills, which has made heating their homes and buying food a difficult task. Susan, 63, discussed the challenges she is facing.

Susan, previously worked at a local school, but only has a small personal pension and will have to wait three more years to get her state pension.

A so-called WASPI (Woman Against State Pension Inequality), Susan’s state pension age was increased from 60 to 66.

With money tight, she explained the lengths she has to go to in order to reduce her spending.

Speaking to ITV, Susan said: “At the most, I would spend £20 a week on food.

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Without the part-time job, Susan said she “most certainly wouldn't be able to pay the bills".

Those bills, particularly her energy bills, are continuing to rise, an issue which many people across the country are facing.

She explained: “My gas and electric bill has just come in, and it's actually doubled from £61 to £120.

“I won't be putting the heat on as much as I did.

Even if Susan was able to claim her state pension, it may not provide much relief.

This is because the most recent state pension increase is far below the rate of inflation.

The state pension increased by 3.1 percent on April 11, 2022.

When the increase kicked in, it was exactly half the rate of inflation, and with a higher inflation rate announced in recent days, it has fallen even further behind.