Some people are at risk of being "forgotten" in the distribution of financial assistance from the Government during the coronavirus pandemic, Christians Against Poverty (CAP) has warned. 

The debt support charity is especially concerned about those who were already struggling financially before the pandemic took hold.

While it welcomed the raft of measures to help people weather the financial impact of coronavirus, the charity said that the hardship for those in debt is being exacerbated by the outbreak. 

In a letter to the Chancellor and Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, CAP Chief Executive Paula Stringer said: "These are challenging times for all of us. But for those who had unworkable budgets before the pandemic, due to very low incomes, and who have multiple difficulties in life as many of our clients do, this is crisis upon crisis."

In its annual report due out next week, CAP will warn that more than one in 10 of its clients do not have a bed or mattress to sleep on. 

"There's a lot of evidence coming from the US that people from poorer backgrounds are more at risk of Covid-19. We want to see some of the injustices righted in order to show these people they are not being overlooked," said Ms Stringer.

While the Government has announced a £20 a week boost to Universal Credit and tax credits, CAP is calling on the Government to extend the financial relief to those on Jobseeker's Allowance or Employment Support Allowance, who have not been given any additional help. 

"We'd like to see local housing allowance rates and the benefit cap lifted because they cause the most broken budgets for people, especially for single parents who make up 28 per cent of our clientele," said Ms Stringer. 

While payment holidays from local councils and lenders are offering a temporary reprieve, CAP said it was concerned about what would happen once the lockdown is lifted. 

CAP, which has launched an emergency appeal to help more people during the pandemic, said that clients were especially concerned about council tax, with a missed payment triggering an automatic bill for the entire year. 

The charity said that the "fairest way" would be for councils to offer installment plans for people who miss a payment. 

"We think that the Government has an exceptionally difficult job to do at the moment, but we have to speak up for the very poorest in the UK," said Ms Stringer.

"They have unimaginable multiple difficulties to overcome in ordinary times, never mind now and ask for that compassionate response to be extended to them also."