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<p>I have not had any recent discussions with the Trussell Trust on these topics.
However, in my role as Secretary of State for Wales, I regularly meet with stakeholders
to discuss a wide range of issues such as the cost of living.</p><p>The UK Government
has provided extensive support to Newport West. This includes Cost of Living payments
for around 13,100 eligible households totalling up to £900 per household. Furthermore,
around 240,000 payments have been delivered in Newport West through the Energy Bills
Support Scheme.</p><p>The UK Government recognises the challenges posed by cost of
living pressures and consequently has provided unprecedented levels of support to
families across the UK. Measures announced at the Autumn Statement mean the UK Government
will spend £104 billion between 2022 and 2025 to help families with the cost of living,
which is an average of £3,700 per UK household. Owing to the cut in National Insurance
from January 2024, 1.2 million workers in Wales will benefit from an annual gain of
£324 back.</p><p>Moreover, the National Living wage will increase by 9.8% to £11.44
per hour for workers over 21 and the National Minimum wage will increase by 14.8%
to £8.60 per hour for people aged 18-20. This will benefit 140,000 people in Wales
and is further evidence of the support the UK Government is providing to help people
with the cost of living.</p><p>Although housing is a devolved matter, the UK Government
is supporting low-income households by increasing the Local Housing Allowance (LHA).
From April 2024, the UK Government will be investing £1.2 billion increasing LHA rates
to cover the lower 30% of local rents. Around 1.6 million private renters in receipt
of Housing Benefit or Universal Credit will gain nearly £800 per year on average in
additional help towards their rental costs in 2024/25. In Wales, around 82,500 households
are set to benefit from the boost.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p>
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