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<p>The Secretary of State for Wales last met with the First Minister of Wales on 23<sup>rd</sup>
March in a meeting led by the Minister for Intergovernmental Relations, during which
the cost of living was raised.</p><p>The UK Government recognises the challenges people
are facing and we have provided a range of support to tackle the rising cost of living.
For example, we have provided a £200 energy bill discount for households across the
whole of the UK, including Wales. We have also provided an additional £180 million
in Barnett to the Welsh Government to recognise the Council Tax Energy rebate in England. This
is part of a support package worth around £20 billion over this financial year and
next.</p><p>In addition to this we have increased the National Living Wage to £9.50,
which means an extra £1,000 per year in gross wages for a full-time worker. We expect
this increase to the National Living Wage, along with rises to the National Minimum
Wage, to give a pay rise to around 120,000 workers in Wales.</p><p>Furthermore, the
Government have reduced the Universal Credit taper rate from 63% to 55% and are increasing
Universal Credit work allowances by £500 per annum. These together will see some households
keep on average around £1,000 per year and is essentially providing a tax cut for
the lowest paid in society UK wide worth around £2.2 bn in 2022-23.</p>
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