Millions of low-income households in Britain will receive payments of up to £1,350 spread over at least 12 months, the government announced on Tuesday as part of measures to reduce the cost of living crisis.
The extra help was first announced by chancellor Jeremy Hunt in November’s Autumn Statement but the government has yet to set out when the extra money will be paid out.
The Department for Work and Pensions said most of the cash would go towards a £900 living cost allowance for more than 8 million households paid in three installments over around 12 months from spring 2023.
More than 6 million people on disability benefits will also receive a separate payment of £150 this summer, while around 8 million pensioners will be given an extra £300 in the future.
“Tackling inflation is this government’s number one priority and is the only way to reduce pressure from high prices, drive long-term economic growth and improve living standards for everyone,” Hunt said.
According to the latest figures, inflation ran at 10.7 percent in November.
The latest support package follows payments of up to £1,200 in extra cash to low-income households last year and comes as the government faces a wave of industrial action by public sector workers demanding better wages to help tackle rising costs. alive.
Rishi Sunak, the prime minister, has rejected the salary demands, saying that large public sector salaries increase the risk of inflation.
Strikes will hit the railways this week in a dispute over pay, while members of the Royal College of Nursing will hold a second round of walkouts on January 18 and 19 after the government rejected demands for a 19 percent wage increase and improved working conditions. Ambulance workers at five NHS trusts in England will also strike this month.
Speaking at the weekend, Sunak said he had taken a “difficult but fair decision to control debt and debt”, adding that the government had helped the most vulnerable with rising energy bills.
The government has confirmed that the latest payment is in addition to other support, including council tax cuts for certain households and a £400 universal energy discount which will continue until March.
Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride said the latest payments were designed “to protect the most vulnerable”.