MORE than half of families in two Bradford constituencies would suffer real-terms benefits cuts if payments do not rise with inflation, analysis suggests.

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) has found that two-thirds of MPs represent areas where at least 20 per cent of working-age families receive means-tested benefits.

That includes 193 Conservatives who would have to explain real-terms cuts to a sizeable proportion of voters if welfare payments rise in line with pay at 5.4 per cent, rather than prices at around 10 per cent.

But in Bradford East and Bradford West the picture is much worse, with more than 50 per cent of working-age families expected to see their finances damaged, the JRF says.

The findings will heap extra pressure on Prime Minister Liz Truss not to go for the far lower measure of an increase in line with earnings.

Tory critics of delivering tax cuts during a cost-of-living crisis fear they will face an uphill struggle at the next general election if they do not provide sufficient support to those most in need.

The Prime Minister’s South West Norfolk constituency would see 21 per cent of working-age families facing cuts.

The cut would affect seats currently held by 180 Labour MPs and 34 from the SNP, according to the research.

Bradford East, Bradford West, Birmingham Hodge Hill, Belfast North and Belfast West would be among the hardest hit, where more than 50 per cent of working-age families would have their finances damaged, the JRF says.

The charity’s principal policy adviser, Katie Schmuecker, said: “Politicians should think long and hard about the impact of withholding hundreds of pounds from thousands of families in their constituencies when the basic rate of benefits is already at its lowest in real terms for 40 years and prices are sky-high.

“It is unconscionable that the Government should be considering cutting their ability to pay for what they need.

“The Government must realise how catastrophic it would be to refuse to respect their own party’s pledge to make sure the value of benefits keeps up with prices.

“The majority of people agree the right thing to do is help the most vulnerable during this extraordinary crisis. The impact will be felt across every constituency in the UK. Now is the time for all MPs to stand up and be counted.”

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