Countries around the world are facing rising goods and energy costs, inflation and cost of living pressures after the pandemic and Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.
We know people are worried so the government is stepping in to support families, just as we did during the pandemic. In total, more than £37 billion is being paid.
Some of the help will be paid automatically and you won't need to apply. Other help will be paid if you qualify, based on your family's circumstances.
Government departments and Wirral Council are working to make sure people get the help they need at this time.
- Help to find work
- Increasing your income
- Help with your bills
- Help with childcare costs
- Housing costs
- Help with the costs of getting around
Wirral Council has been given extra money by the Government to offer emergency financial support - details of this can be found here:
Emergency financial help
What's being paid this year to help people:
All households will also receive £400 to help with energy bills, and an extra £150 for properties in Council Tax bands A-D, meaning millions of the lowest-income households will receive at least £1,200 in support this year.
Extra help is also being given to those who are most vulnerable to rising energy costs - those who use a lot of energy or who are on fixed or low incomes:
- A further £150 will be paid to 13,900 eligible disabled people in this constituency who are especially vulnerable to rises in energy costs.
- Around 16,000 pensioners in Wallasey and Moreton will also receive £300 on top of their Winter Fuel Payment. Those with the lowest incomes are also being urged to check if they could be eligible for Pension Credit to top up their incomes.
- In July, 15,500 families across the Wallasey constituency will receive the first instalment of £326, followed by £324 in the autumn. This will be paid to the lowest income families.
This is all in addition to changes to the Universal Credit taper rate and work allowances worth £1,000 a year on average for 1.7 million working claimants, a rise in the National Living Wage to £9.50 an hour, and a tax cut for around 30 million workers through a rise in National Insurance contribution thresholds.
Further information can be found on the Government website here and the latest report at the House of Commons Library