Local MP urged to press for rise in benefits
18 MARCH 2022 15:05
Local MP urged to press for rise in benefits
Ceredigion Citizens Advice are calling on local MP Ben Lake to use next week’s House of Commons Spring Statement (March 23) to press for a national rise in benefits as rising energy bills and an increase in the cost of living start to take effect.
The charity is also asking for an urgent meeting with both Mr Lake and Ceredigion MS Elin Jones to discuss the issue.
New data shows that 86% of people in Ceredigion have said that the October energy loan scheme will make no difference to how they pay their bills.
More than one in nine residents said they couldn’t pay their energy bills right now without cutting back on essential spending.
And Ceredigion Citizens Advice is braced for a rise in calls for help as the data, using MRP polling, predicts that the number of local people unable to pay their bills after April will rise by a staggering 89%.
In a letter to the MP, Ceredigion Citizens Advice chief executive Juliet Morris says: “The conflict in Ukraine is driving a further surge in energy prices. Bills are estimated to increase by a further £900 in October, meaning more families will be dragged into hardship without further government support. In April, the Chancellor should provide additional support for people on the lowest incomes by bringing the annual benefit uprating in line with current inflation. Then in October, as the prices rise again, more financial support will be needed.”
During last month alone, Ceredigion Citizens Advice supported a total of 562 people.