CARDIFF (Parliament Politics Magazine) – The Welsh government has launched a £330 million package to help people cope with growing living costs, which it claims goes “above and beyond” what Mr Johnson’s government in England is providing.
All homes in council tax categories A to D, along with those eligible for the council tax reduction plan, will get a £150 payment right away.
Ministers will collaborate with local governments to offer more information about the scheme, with the goal of starting payments as quickly as possible.
Sunak’s offer was deemed insufficient.
Hundreds of thousands of households with low income will also get an additional £200 through the winter fuel payment next year.
People can use the scheme to get a one-time payment towards their winter fuel bills.
Councils would get an additional £25 million in discretionary funds to assist struggling households.
More money will be available through the discretionary assistance fund. These funds would assist people with basic expenses including gas, electricity, emergency travel,
Food and clothing.
More frequent payments to a larger group of people will be able to continue for another year thanks to more funds.
Finance and Local Government Minister Rebecca Evans said, “People are facing a very real cost-of-living crisis and urgent, meaningful action is required,”
At the beginning of the month, the chancellor’s offer fell short of what was needed by the people.
She added that the Welsh government has been able to go beyond and above to assist the households with bills payments, heating their houses, and feeding their families.
They are practically tripling the equivalent support the UK government has provided for the people who are in need of it most, underlining their aim of establishing a fairer Wales where no one is left behind.
In an effort to alleviate the “sting” of rising energy bills, Chancellor Rishi Sunak pledged £350 in support for homeowners in England.
In April, 80 percent of all homes in England will receive a £150 council tax cut, while all residential electricity users will receive a £200 energy bill discount in October.
The latter amount will be reimbursed over a five-year period beginning in April of next year, but the council tax rebate will not be repaid.
The Treasury announced that the council tax rebate would be funded with £565 million from the devolved administrations in Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland.
However, First Minister Mark Drakeford indicated last week that the Treasury had “no extra money for Wales” to emulate the scheme.
