What people want from the Budget: single mum on £41,000 limits weekly shop to £40

Chloe’s household costs

Chloe is raising her 16-year-old son alone after her husband died four years ago. Her main concern is the cost of living, and her gas and electricity bill has climbed to about £200 a month.

She and her son have cut back on treats, including visits to M&S and the cinema. Chloe now tries to keep their weekly food shop to £40.

Moving out and finding work

Robert Portlock, 29, lives with his parents in Gateshead and would like to move out, but doubts he can afford the costs. He says council tax, energy, food, a TV licence, broadband, car expenses and socialising would leave him short.

Portlock wants fuel duty and income tax cut, or the personal allowance raised from £12,570 to about £16,000. Emily Nelson, who finished her A-levels last year, has been unable to find work since leaving college.

A scheme across England, Scotland and Wales offers fully funded, six-month paid jobs to 18- to 24-year-olds who have claimed universal credit and sought work for 18 months. Nelson believes eligibility should begin after one year.

Fuel and university costs

Professional driver Dave Herbert commutes 62 miles round trip to Cardiff from Ynysddu. He says fuel prices have been “crazy” this year and that even an entry-level used hybrid is too expensive.

Herbert wants fuel duty to be sharply reduced or removed temporarily. Jonathan Whitwam, a finance worker in Essex, says he and his wife pay around £18,000 a year in rent while supporting their two daughters through university.

Whitwam supports paying for degrees, but wants student loan interest waived or capped below 1%. He also says raising more tax is needed to fund roads, hospitals and schools.

Pension and energy charges

Christine Morris, from Worksop, has been retired for eight years and relies on the state pension and a small private pension left by her late husband. She wants help with electricity standing charges for people living alone.

The prime minister has asked ministers to consider removing gas standing charges. Morris is unconvinced by Andy Burnham’s proposal to end the triple lock from 2030 and use the savings for a free-at-the-point-of-use national care service in England in the next parliament.