Sam Cunningham lives with her eight-year-old daughter Caitlin in Field Avenue, Blackbird Leys.

She lives off £123 in child benefit and income support a week and said: "I cope on what I get each week but sometimes it can be a struggle."

Miss Cunningham, 28, was impressed with the raise in child benefit from £18.10 to £20 a week.

She said: "It is good. If you work that out over a month it is nearly £10 extra.

"Some people will not find it useful but it is good if you are on a small budget and if you put it away you would notice what you are saving."

Miss Cunningham is a former smoker who quit last month, partly due to the cost of cigarettes - on the rise again.

She said: "People might not want to smoke any more. It might deter them. I think it is a good thing that alcohol and cigarettes are going up."

She also agreed with the increased fuel allowances for pensioners but added she would like to see better fuel allowances for people on low incomes too.