Jeremy Hunt’s plans to toughen the rules for universal credit are nonsensical, says Sharron Spice, who is in her 30s and lives in London

Chicken, ham, eggs – any protein – has become so expensive. And then there are all the other things we need, says Paul, who is seeking asylum

It’s been a long six weeks, as I struggled to feed my sons, says single mother Charlie

After 30 years, I had to move – and I found myself plunged into a dog-eat-dog battle to find a home, says Sophie

I made a tiny mistake filling in a form for the Department for Work and Pensions. Now, I don’t know how I’ll cope, says Liz

The rising price of basic products is crazy, and what makes things harder is that steady jobs are thin on the ground

I’m not claiming my universal credit entitlement: I’d rather spare myself the confusion, frustration and wasted hours, says Sophie

Soaring bills have blown my budget and I worry we’re on the verge of disaster unless the cost of living crisis is sorted out, says single mum Charlie

Things are difficult but I am determined not to accept lesser treatment. And I urge others in my position not to accept it either, says James

It feels like the UK government hopes we will just give up and go home. But that would put my family’s life at risk, says Paul

Racist rhetoric from Westminster, rising prices across the board – it’s a pressure cooker, and it’s about to spill over, says Sharron Spice

I’m stumped by the endless bureaucracy of the system. Why can’t we just find him somewhere warm and safe, asks Siobhan, who is a full-time carer for her father

I escape, ashamed, to the comfort of my friends’ warm homes. Even then, fear stalks me: I know I could end up homeless, writes Marin

Working at a food bank this winter, I’ve seen how much people are struggling. But their kindness to each other hasn’t faltered, says Sophie

I’m a single mum and a care worker. Based on how little I earn, I’d be better off working in a supermarket or a bar, says Charlie

I’ve always had a second job, but things are so tough now I’ve had to take another, says Sharron Spice

Asylum seekers like me, who came here fleeing for our lives via a legal route, are still treated like the enemy when we are not allowed to work, says Paul, an asylum seeker

Thankfully other people have been far more thoughtful after I was honest about my money worries, says Liz

They were expensive – £30, so it was a big decision – but he doesn’t have central heating and he’s too ill to be cold, says Siobhan

I’ll be going away for the festive season. No more having to keep up appearances of the perfect consumerist Christmas while poverty bites, says James