Struggling families have lost around £268-a-month during coronavirus crisis

Struggling families are estimated to have seen their income drop by £268 a month during the pandemic.

The latest Treasury figures come amid warnings millions of workers face hardship as lockdown support ends.

By the beginning of July almost 650,000 had lost their jobs and the independent Office for Business Responsibility predicts unemployment could rise to 13 per cent – more than three million – by the winter.

Unions warn that families are already finding it difficult to make ends meet.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak told MPs that two income working households, have suffered an 8 per cent drop in earnings - £67 a week – since February.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak told MPs that two income working households, have suffered an 8 per cent drop in earnings - £67 a week – since February (Getty)

Reduced working hours and moves to lower paid work in the face of lay-offs are the main reasons.

Negotiated wage cuts and employers not meeting their part of furlough payments are other factors, according to the GMB union. Laurence Turner, GMB Policy Officer, said: “The Treasury’s figures confirm working households are really struggling.

“We are calling for ministers to keep existing support schemes under careful review and extend them where necessary on a sector by sector basis.”

Labour MP Sarah Owen said: “Now we can see the true extent of the damage to household incomes the Government must look at providing continuing support for specific sectors.”