The Tory-made cost of living crisis will have “fatal” consequences for some children across the UK, according to a leading anti-poverty campaigner.

Speaking in front of the Work and Pensions committee this morning, writer and author Jack Monroe outlined the devastating impact the cost of living crisis will have on households – leaving many “eating less and skipping meals”.

Ms Monroe said: “The impact of cost of living on those households is going to be, in some cases, fatal – and that’s not a term that I use lightly.

She went on to say: “The general cost of living has gone up to a point where people have less to spend on food in their household expenditure … people are just eating less and skipping meals”.

The SNP’s Shadow Fair Work and Employment spokesperson, Chris Stephens MP, is urging the Chancellor to use the upcoming Spring statement to deliver a comprehensive package of support to tackle the crisis head on.

Commenting, the SNP’s Shadow Fair Work and Employment spokesperson Chris Stephens MP said:

“Households across the four nations of the UK are facing devastating consequences as a result of the Tory-made cost of living crisis.

“The comments from Ms Monroe today should be printed off and pinned to the Chancellor’s wall as a reminder of the impact his callous cuts have on households.

“That is why the SNP has urged the Chancellor to use the upcoming Spring statement to deliver a comprehensive package of support which will tackle the crisis head on.

“It must include turning the UK government’s £200 energy loan into a grant, reversing the callous cut to Universal Credit, matching the Scottish Government’s game-changing Scottish Child Payment, and delivering a Real Living Wage.

“These problems have been created by an outdated, dysfunctional Tory government – it is on them to fix it.”