The Work and Pensions Select Committee has launched a new inquiry into the UK Government’s cost of living support packages for 2022/23 and 2023/24. The cross-party Committee of MPs, chaired by Sir Stephen Timms MP, is encouraging people in receipt of cost of living support payments and those who think they should have got them to complete an online survey before Sunday April 16, 2023.
In response to the cost of living crisis, the UK Government announced a series of measures over 2022/223 to provide emergency financial support, including the £400 Energy Bill Support Scheme and a £150 Council Tax rebate for bands A to D. There were additional cost of living support payments for pensioners, and those already in receipt of disability or means-tested benefits.
While initial support consisted of one-off payments, cost of living payments are scheduled to be made until Spring 2024, with the first for £301 due to be made to over eight million people on means-tested benefits including Universal Credit and Pension Credit. It is these additional cost of living support payments that the Committee will look at in this inquiry.
