Manchester mum says the £24 a week she receives in child benefit is "just not enough"

A single mum has slammed the Autumn budget announcement which sees single parents "forgotten" - because there's no increase to child benefit allowance.

Lauren Whisker, 30, is a single mum to daughter Ava, one, and feels disappointed.

She gets universal credit but has to live with her parents to make ends meet.

She works part time and says every penny she gets goes on her daughter - and £24 per week in child benefits is far from enough.

Lauren, from Clayton, Manchester, said: "I get £24 a week and it's just not enough for everything.

"I have to borrow money off my mum for food and snacks and I have to walk everywhere because I can't afford the bus or tram.

"Even with the universal credit too, all the money I get goes on Ava.

"I have about three sets of clothes and I can't afford to buy any new ones because my daughter is growing so fast she constantly needs new ones.

"I just wish they would give us single parents more money to look after our children.

"You just can't afford everything a child needs on £24 a week. It needs to go up to at least £40 a week.

"Without enough child benefits I can't do anything and I feel forgotten."