Most of the increase in in-work poverty happened between 1995 and 2008 as rents rose and household earnings became more dispersed.

While this may have an impact on her household earnings, she hopes she will be able to weather the storm financially.

Those with household earnings of between 30,000 and 90,000 have to contribute only between 4 and 10 per cent of their income.

As a result, consumer prices are likely to rise at more than twice the pace of household earnings.

Household earnings are increasing at 2.2 per cent a year.