The number of people turning to benefits and debt advisors has soared since the coronavirus outbreak, MPs heard today. Citizens Advice recorded 8million views of its website from mid March until the end of April and dealt with 32,000 cases on the phone and web chats.
Meanwhile the welfare advice charity Turn2Us has seen a 438% rise in people using a benefit calculator - and 250,000 used a tool to search for charitable grants.
MPs heard today the rise in cases has been driven mainly by workers, parents and householders - with most of the 81% rise in food bank use being driven by families with children.
Emma Revie of foodbank charity the Trussell Trust told the Commons Work and Pensions Committee she was struck by the speed with which