Government refuses to commit to raising benefits and pensions in line with soaring inflation

Labour accuses government of ‘generating further anxiety’

Liz Truss at her brief news conference on Friday (REUTERS)

The government has refused to commit to raising benefits and pensions in line with soaring inflation as food prices rise at levels not seen for 40 years.

Speaking as official figures showed the CPI index had hit 10.1 per cent in September, James Cleverly said the government took its manifesto commitments "incredibly seriously".

But asked whether the government would up-rate benefits the foreign secretary said the decision would be made by the Treasury down the line.