Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown MP welcomes that almost one in four families across the UK will receive £324 from the Government this month as the latest Cost of Living Payments begin to be sent out today, including 7,000 of some of the poorest families in the Cotswolds.

Over eight million households in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland who claimed qualifying means-tested benefits during the eligibility period will be automatically paid £324 this month. This direct support is part of the Government’s £37 billion package of cost of living support, including up to £1,200 worth of direct help for vulnerable households.

In addition to means-tested cost of living support, the Energy Price Guarantee will help to keep household energy bills as low as possible – saving the typical household £700 this winter. The £400 Energy Bills Support Scheme will also help every household with the cost of energy this winter.

The payments, starting today from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), are made directly, with no need to apply or do anything to receive it.

Commenting, Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown MP said:

“Households are facing rising living costs, with energy prices increasing made worse by Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine impacting the global markets and the recent inflation we have seen in the cost of our weekly shop, which I raised during a debate in the House of Commons last month.

“I welcome the news that 7,000 families in Cotswolds are eligible for their second means-tested cost of living payment worth £324 this month.

“This extra support is the right thing to do, providing further help for families this winter and protecting the most vulnerable against the rise in the cost of living”

Commenting, Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride said:

“We understand that people are struggling and that is why we’ve acted to ensure millions of low-income families are supported this winter.

“As part of a wider £37 billion package of support, this latest £324 payment shows we are committed to helping our most vulnerable manage the rising cost of living.”

Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt said:

“Prices are rising across the world as we manage the aftershock of Covid-19 and Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. We recognise that families back home are struggling, which is why we’ve taken decisive action to hold down energy bills this winter and provided hundreds of pounds of cash support for each vulnerable household. 

“As part of that support, over 8 million vulnerable households – almost a quarter of families in the UK – will automatically receive a second cost of living payment worth £324 in their bank account from today.

“And while we can’t completely protect people from rising prices, my priority at the upcoming Autumn Statement will be to protect the poorest in society as we take the tough decisions necessary to fix our public finances.”