Liz Saville Roberts MP has urged the UK Government to implement measures that would target higher costs of living for people in Wales.
On Thursday 21st May, Plaid Cymru Westminster Group leader, Liz Saville Roberts MP, said that while the UK Government’s cost-of-living measures announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves are welcome, they do not adequately consider the higher costs faced by Welsh households which require targeted intervention.
In a statement to the House of Commons, the UK Government unveiled a series of measures in response to higher costs facing households and businesses as a result of the war in Iran.
These measures included: extending the fuel duty cut; foreign branch profit tax changes; suspending tariffs on some supermarket foods; a Great British Summer Savings scheme to temporarily cut the rate of VAT on some attractions; and free bus travel across England for children in August.
Ms. Saville Roberts referenced the “structural inequality” in energy costs affecting households in the north of Wales, and called on the UK Government to improve heating costs for households through “long-term measures”.
Responding in the House of Commons, Liz Saville Roberts MP said:
“People are very aware that President Trump’s war with Iran is worsening the cost of living.
“But there are measures within the gift of the government - long-term measures – which could improve heating costs for households.
“In north Wales and Merseyside we pay the equivalent of £255 a year on standing charges – that compares with £160 for London.
“When will she be addressing this structural inequality in heating costs?”
The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, answered:
“In the Budget last year I reduced energy bills by £150 and just a few weeks ago I put in additional money to help with the cost of heating oil.
The issue around standing charges and those allocations is one for DESNZ, but I will pass on her concerns to the relevant minister.”
Speaking after the debate, Ms. Saville Roberts added:
“While support announced by the UK Government is welcome, the Chancellor has not alleviated my concerns that the scale of challenges facing people in Wales is not being fully recognised – including our sky-high heating costs.
“It’s not just higher standing charges either - we also have the oldest housing stock in the UK, and a high proportion of off-grid housing that fall outside the scope of the energy price cap.
“So while Welsh families will certainly benefit from the fuel duty cut extension, and the temporary VAT cut on summer holiday attractions – this package fails to recognise the unique costs facing Welsh households and businesses. Wales requires a serious, dedicated response.
“From ending unfair standing charges, increasing support for those on heating oil and LPG, tackling exploitation by energy companies, and reducing bills by fully breaking the link between electricity and gas prices – Plaid Cymru call on the UK Government to include targeted measures that will make a real difference to communities across Wales.”
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