- The Conservative Government are supporting people across the UK in the face of rising prices caused by Putin’s illegal war in Ukraine while working to halve inflation this year.
- That is why eight million eligible people in receipt of means-tested benefits will receive a Cost of Living Payment worth £301 from 25 April 2023 followed by two further payments so vulnerable families will receive payments worth £900 this year.
- These payments are part of the Conservative Government’s work to support people with the cost of living alongside the Prime Minister’s five-point plan to halve inflation, grow the economy, reduce debt, cut waiting lists and stop the boats.
Mario Creatura has welcomed that almost one in four families across the UK will receive £301 from the Conservative Government as the latest Cost of Living Payments begin to be sent out, including 7,000 families across Reigate and Banstead.
7,100 eligible individuals in Reigate and Banstead will also receive the Conservative Government’s Disability Cost of Living Payment worth £150 again this year.
Over eight million households across the UK who claimed qualifying means-tested benefits during the eligibility period will be automatically paid £301 in their first payment this year. This direct support is part of the Conservative Government’s £94 billion package of cost of living support worth £900 this year for vulnerable households receiving means-tested benefits.
The payments are made directly with no need to apply or do anything to receive it.
In addition to means-tested cost of living support, the Energy Price Guarantee is continuing to help keep household energy bills as low as possible – ensuring the typical family pays no more that £2,500 for their energy bills until the end of June this year.
This support will be delivered alongside the Prime Minister’s five-point plan to halve inflation, grow the economy, reduce debt, cut waiting lists and stop the boats.
Commenting, Mario said:
“Households are facing rising living costs in the wake of Putin’s illegal war in Ukraine and the Conservative Government is rightly protecting the most vulnerable people in Reigate and Banstead.
“7,000 families in Reigate and Banstead are eligible for a further means-tested cost of living payment worth £301 from today, and £900 in total for 2023-4.
“These payments will give families much needed support, protecting vulnerable people who are most exposed to rising prices.”
Commenting, Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride said:
“This latest additional payment will be welcomed by millions of families – as will further payments due over the next year.
“We have continually supported those most vulnerable to rising costs, including through record benefits and national living wage increases as well as these exceptional Cost of Living Payments responding to the global pressures we are facing.
“We will also continue to deliver on our five priorities, including halving inflation, as this will ease pressure on households currently struggling with household bills and rising prices.”
Jeremy Hunt, Chancellor of the Exchequer, added:
“The best thing we can do to help people’s money go further is deliver on our priorities to halve inflation and grow the economy.
“But we’re also here to help people through these tough times, which is why we’re holding down energy bills, freezing fuel duty, increasing Universal Credit, and giving £900 payments to low income and vulnerable families - all in part funded through windfall taxes on energy profits.”
- The Conservative Government have confirmed further cost of living payments in 2023-4, supporting vulnerable families in the face of rising prices. We are providing households in receipt of certain means-tested benefits with £900 in 2023-4 as well as £300 additional winter fuel payments for pensioners, and additional £150 payments for disabled people.[1]
- The Conservative Government have extended the new Energy Price Guarantee at £2,500 for three more months, keeping bills as low as possible and helping us grip inflation. The Energy Price Guarantee will continue to support everyone for another year and will be kept at £2,500 for another three months. This in turn will help us tackle inflation by keep energy bills as low as possible.[2]
- The Conservative Government have uprated benefits in line with inflation, protecting the lowest-paid in the face of rising costs. Benefits will be increased in line with inflation for 2023–24. More than ten million households in receipt of working-age and disability benefits will see an increase in their benefit payments. The average uplift for households Universal Credit will be around £600.[3]
- The Conservative Government have extended the Household Support Fund to over £2 billion, ensuring local authorities can support the most vulnerable in their communities. We have provided the Household Support Fund with an additional £842 million to establish schemes that support vulnerable families in their areas. This brings the fund to over £2 billion in value since its creation.[4]
[1] DWP, Guidance, 17 April 2023, link.
[2] PMO, Press Release, 8 September 2022, link.
