The Welsh government’s package makes £250 available to up to 20,000 eligible households dependent on heating oil or liquefied petroleum gas, and extends eligibility for a £100 energy payment.
The Welsh government has announced a £130 million (about $174.4 million) cost-of-living package that combines previously promised energy payments with additional help for households and bus operators. Deputy First Minister Sioned Williams said families face a challenging winter; the government also cited the continuing conflict in the Middle East.
The decision follows UK Chancellor John Healey’s October Budget announcement of energy payments for council taxpayers in bands A–D in England. Welsh Finance Minister Elin Jones subsequently said households in the same bands in Wales would benefit, BBC Business said. Council tax bands group properties for the local tax.
The package sets aside £5 million (about $6.7 million) for off-grid fuel costs. A £250 payment will be available to households that depend on heating oil or liquefied petroleum gas, known as LPG, and qualify for Council Tax Reduction based on their income. Up to 20,000 households could receive it, rather than a confirmed number of payments.
The £100 energy payment covers households in council tax bands A–D. It is also being extended to everyone receiving Council Tax Reduction, regardless of their property’s band.
Councils will receive an additional £8 million (about $10.7 million) to extend the energy payment to households in financial hardship that are not covered by other schemes. The government said full guidance for councils will be available soon. It has not announced payment dates, application routes, deadlines or whether either household payment will be automatic.
A further £7 million (about $9.4 million) will go through an existing bus grant scheme to help operators with high fuel costs. The government said the support is intended to prevent the loss of local bus, community transport and learner transport services, and protect passengers from fare increases.
Williams said Wales would continue pressing the UK government to remove the benefit cap, increase Local Housing Allowance and introduce social tariffs. She said those measures are needed to provide longer-term relief.
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