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<p>I have regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues and Welsh Government Ministers
on a wide range of issues, including the cost of living.</p><p> </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> </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 tax from January 2024, 1.2 million workers in Wales will benefit
from an annual gain of £324.</p><p> </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> </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>
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