I am a single mother, who has worked since my daughter was six months old, which is the time that her Father and I parted Company.  I have a fairly good job for a law firm, which meant that I was not entitled to a council property, so I have to privately rent a property.  Out of my take home pay, having paid for rent, council tax and utility bills, plus a car loan, I have next to no money to live on.  I am not on the gas mains here and therefore rely on storage heaters.  My last bill (and we aren't even warm) was £270 for one month! I don't have a tumble dryer, I cannot afford holidays as it is.  Now I have to pay at least £10.00 more to fill my car up, food has gone up, my National Insurance is going up, as are my fuel bills.  My daughter wants to learn to ride a horse, sadly, it might be a cheaper way of keeping her warm, at £50.00 a week, in comparison to my electricity bill which was £270.00 last month, and which will double in April . I get very little help, which is subject to any bonuses from work being taken away, so I can never be better off!

On top of this, I have no family support network, which has made it really difficult to do more hours.. 

Why is everyone in the UK a 'have or have not'?.  The gap is ever increasing because none of these changes are means tested, which obviously is not fair.  Boris, I need to ask what you are doing to help single working parents and single households who don't earn over 35k a year, of which there are many.  

Boris - Would I be better off If I was not working.  I can give you some calculations and if you would be kind enough to do the maths.  Please confirm you would be happy to look at my income/outgoings and assist, not only me, but many other people who are not being heard.