Rishi Sunak announced yesterday the government’s next steps in supporting the public with a cost-of-living plan. Under the UK Government's plan, the public will receive £400 off their energy bills in October, with people on the lowest incomes receiving a one-off payment of £650. You can read the full details here.
Alongside this, pensioners will get a one-off payment of £300 and disabled people will get an extra £150. It was also stated that local authorities will also get an extra £500 million to support families in their areas.
This announcement divided Wales Online readers, with some questioning why energy companies cannot just reduce their prices in order to improve the cost-of-living.
Read more: How you will get the £400 off your energy bills promised by chancellor Rishi Sunak
Laura Chittenden said: “This shouldn’t be about the population. Why aren’t they demanding the companies to reduce prices? They make so much money and for some reason the government thinks the answer is to give out money that WE pay.”
Becky-Rowe Davies added: “How about just not allowing the prices to rise as much as they are? Then you won’t need to help people out. The energy companies are in so much profit already.”
Many readers, however, were more concerned about how this plan would affect full-time workers, as there has been no announcement from the government surrounding whether they will receive any more financial support.
Joanne Hood said: “What about people working full time and can’t afford to live? Who’s helping them?”
Carole Davidson agreed, saying: “Nothing for the working people. Oops, that’s what we get for working hard. Thank you for nothing once again.”
Some readers even raised the idea of quitting their jobs, stating that they would receive more help from the government this way. Stewart Williams said: “So, I'm from a household that all work full time. We might as well give up our jobs and go on benefits as I would get all the help needed it seems”.
Others questioned the sustainability of this cost-of-living plan, wondering what would happen in the months after these payments are issued.
Rob Blake said: “Short term options for a long-standing challenge. These payments may stretch a month of two but what happens then? Stop glossing over the cost-of-living crisis and do something about it!”
However, some were in defence of Rishi Sunak’s announcement, insinuating that it was more than fair for particular members of the public.
Carol Martin said: “Wish people would learn to READ! Everyone to get £400, those on LOW income to ALSO to get help. So, all you ‘workers’, start proving you know how to READ! I actually don’t think everyone should get the £400 off their bills, plenty can afford the increase!”
