THE number of households unable to afford basic essentials such as food and heating has hit a record 7.4 million, new research showed today.

Families traditionally less likely to be struggling have driven the rise from 7.1 million a year ago, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) found.

PM Andy Burnham begins his premiership “at a time when the cost-of-living crisis has never been more widely felt,” it said.

Overall, households most likely to be unable to afford essentials are those on universal credit.

But its analysis shows that the number of those going without essentials has increased fastest for those not on means-tested benefits.

The proportion rose to 53 per cent, from 47 per cent two years ago.

JRF’s chief economist Chris Belfield said: “We need greater intervention to control rental prices, make energy affordable and improve the adequacy of universal credit so everyone can afford the essentials.”