Joseph Rowntree Foundation says poor worst hit by 25% rise in living cost

Living costs have risen 25% in the past five years and placed an "unprecedented" financial burden on the poor, a report has found.

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation said rising costs of childcare and energy, coupled with stagnating wages and benefit cuts, had created a widening poverty gap.

Worst affected are pensioners and single people, it said.

Chris Buckler reports