Millions of low-income households in the UK will receive payments totaling up to £1,350 over at least 12 months, the government announced on Tuesday as part of measures aimed at easing the cost of living crisis. did.
Additional support was first announced by Prime Minister Jeremy Hunt in November. autumn statement However, the government had not previously set when the additional cash would be disbursed.
Work and Pensions Department said most of the cash will consist of £900 Cost of living Three installments for more than 8 million households in about 12 months from spring 2023.
More than 6 million individuals on disability benefits will receive another £150 this summer and an estimated 8 million pensioners will receive a further £300 next winter.
“Tackling inflation is the government’s top priority and the only way to ease the burden of high prices, foster long-term economic growth and improve living standards for all,” Hunt said. .
according to latest numbersInflation was 10.7% in November.
The latest aid package follows last year’s extra cash payments of up to £1,200 to low-income households to help public sector workers demand better wages to help them cope with rising costs. It is done in the face of a wave of industrial action by life.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has opposed the salary demands, arguing that high salaries in the public sector increase the risk of further exacerbating inflation.
While strikes hit the railroad this week over a dispute over wages, members of the Royal College of Nursing said they would take part in a second strike on Jan. 18 and 19 after the government rejected calls for a 19% wage increase and improved working conditions. We are going on strike. Five of his NHS Trust paramedics in England are also due to go on strike later this month.
Speaking at the weekend, Sunak said he had made “difficult but fair decisions to manage borrowing and debt,” adding that his government had helped the most vulnerable with rising energy prices. rice field.
The government has stressed that the latest payments are in addition to other support measures, including a local tax rebate for certain households and a £400 energy discount that will continue until March.
Jobs and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride said the latest payments were designed to “protect the most vulnerable”.
