Welsh Government announce £150 cost of living handout to people in Council Tax bands A-D
Low income households will also get an extra £200 Winter Fuel Payment next winter
The Welsh Government has announced is expanding measures to help people with the cost-of-living crisis.
It includes a £150 cost-of-living payment to be paid as soon as possible to people in Council Tax bands A-D and an extra £200 for low income households through the Winter Fuel Payment next winter.
Rebecca Evans, Minister for Finance and Local Government, said the support reflects the Welsh Government’s priority of “creating a fairer Wales in which no-one is left behind.” S
The funding announcement comes ahead of the publication of the supplementary budget later today.
A £150 cost-of-living payment will be provided to all households who live in properties in council tax bands A-D, as well as recipients of the Council Tax Reduction Scheme in all bands.
The Welsh Government will be working with local authorities to provide more detail about how the scheme will operate and will begin making payments as soon as possible.
Discretionary Fund
A further £25m will be provided as a discretionary fund for local authorities, allowing councils to use their local knowledge to help households who may be struggling.
Rebecca Evans, Minister for Finance and Local Government, said:
“People are facing a very real cost-of-living crisis and urgent, meaningful action is required.
“The Chancellor’s offer at the start of the month fell short of what people needed. We have been able to go above and beyond to provide Welsh households with more help in paying bills, heating homes and putting food on the table.”
Jane Hutt, Minister for Social Justice, said:
“The funding we are announcing today will ensure more people get more support, in what are challenging circumstances for so many families in Wales.
“As bills rise, prices go up and wages are stretched we know people will need help, that’s why I’ve convened a Wales-wide Cost of Living Summit on Thursday 17 February, with over one hundred participants from a wide range of social partners and third sector organisations across Wales to discuss the crisis and the proactive actions we can take to support people across Wales.”