Some Brits may be forced to wait months for their £150 council tax rebate as they battle the cost of living crisis, due to an IT hitch, it is reported.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced a £9 billion package in February to help families tackle the rise in the cost of living.
It includes a rebate of £150 in April for English households in bands A to D which will not have to be paid back.
Other aid revealed by the chancellor was a £200 discount to tackle the £700-a-year rise in average household’s energy bills this month.
But council taxpayers could face long delays for the money with some councils warning that they are experiencing technical problems, it is reported.
Portsmouth City Council’s director of finance and resources, Chris Ward, said that the “software for the rebates” hasn’t been provided by the government, reported the Daily Mail.
It means that they are currently “testing” a software upgrade and he hoped most people who have direct debits would be paid this month, but others would get a rebate in May.
South Derbyshire Council have told residents they will not be paid their rebate until June due to “software updates”, also said the Daily Mail.
And Bassetlaw District Council, in Nottinghamshire, was also reportedly warning of delays.
The government is coming under pressure with claims that it is not doing enough to help struggling people.
Boris Johnson has also had to defend the government over claims that the new energy strategy doesn't help people with soaring bills.
He said the strategy - which sets out aims to boost new nuclear power, offshore wind and hydrogen - is a long-term plan focusing on energy supply, "undoing the mistakes of the past and taking the big decisions now".
He said the Government was "already doing a huge amount to help people with the immediate cost of living and of course we are going to do more".
The latest investment will support research, development and deployment of "cutting-edge technologies", the Government said, adding that it was also publishing a "range of important documents and guidelines to support the development of these industries".
A financial package, announced last Friday, includes £240 million to fund low carbon hydrogen production projects, £5 million towards the acceleration of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCUS) Technologies, and a £2.5 million competition for bidders to develop a UK Advanced Modular Reactor (AMR).
The Mirror has contacted Portsmouth City Council as well as South Derbyshire and Bassetlaw District Councils for comment.
