Welsh Government announces £130m cost of living package for winter

The Welsh Government has announced a £130m package of cost of living help, saying winter and the continuing conflict in the Middle East will make the coming months hard for many households.

What is in it

The £100 energy payment for households in council tax bands A to D will be extended to everyone who receives the Council Tax Reduction Scheme, whatever their band. A further £8m goes to councils so they can pay the £100 to households facing hardship that other schemes miss. The government says full guidance for councils will follow soon. For homes off the gas grid, £5m will fund a £250 payment to households eligible for Council Tax Reduction on their income who depend on heating oil or LPG. Another £7m will support bus operators with high fuel costs, through an existing bus grant scheme. The government says this should help avoid the loss of local bus, community transport and learner transport services, and protect passengers from fare rises.

Claiming what you are owed

The Claim What's Yours campaign will be boosted so more people know what benefits they are entitled to. The government says the last campaign saw Citizens Advice advisers put an extra £6.5m into the pockets of 44,620 Welsh citizens who called the service.

What is not yet clear

The release gives no payment dates, and does not break down the full £130m beyond the £8m, £5m and £7m elements.

"In total this represents an additional investment of £130m, providing immediate relief for households this winter," said Sioned Williams, the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Minister for Social Justice and Equalities. She said the government would keep pressing the UK Government to remove the benefit cap, increase Local Housing Allowance and introduce social tariffs.