How much is enough?

Rebecca Dittman found it hard to survive on benefits

Benefit levels have not been properly reviewed since the Welfare State was set up in 1948, an Inside Money investigation reveals.

Rebecca Dittman is 56 and based in Liverpool.

With two long spells of unemployment under her belt, Rebecca knows all about the reality of living on benefits. And it is bleak.

During her most recent period of unemployment, she received only £53.95 a week job-seekers allowance.

This was all she had for utility bills, food and clothing.

Unemployed for more than two years, she struggled to make ends meet, often going without food to pay a bill or buy an item of clothing.

While unemployed, Rebecca received a letter from the Benefits Agency which told her "the law says the amount that you need to live on is £53.95."

As Rebecca found it so hard to survive on that amount, she wanted to know how the government calculated the figure.

Rebecca joined Inside Money to find out, speaking to experts in social policy and poverty campaigners before taking her findings to the government minister responsible.

Presenter: Lesley Curwen
Listener: Rebecca Dittman
Producer: Penny Haslam

Also:

Minister rejects benefit criticism
Timeline: The welfare state 1832 - 1945
Timeline: The welfare state 1945 - 2002