LOWEST income families in Furness will soon receive hundreds of pounds to help with the cost of living.

The Government announced today that benefits recipients will get the first installment of their cost of living payment from July 14.

More than eight million UK homes on benefits will receive £326 by the end of July. 

Conservative MP Simon Fell said: "The first payments should land from 14 July supporting the lowest income families in Furness in the face of the global cost of living pressures.

"The package as a whole is worth some £37billion, including one off cash cost-of-living payments of at least £1,200 for the lowest income families.

"This is part of a package that is designed to step up and help those in our society who need it the most."

However while the Liberal Democrat MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale Tim Farron supported the payments, he said: "With inflation continuing to soar, this support won't be enough to help people who are struggling to afford to pay the rent, feed their kids or fill their car."

Mr Farron said the Government was giving more to people that owned second homes then benefits claimants, with owners receiving £400 off their energy bills for each of their homes as part of the national payment in October.