I was disappointed with the measures announced by the Chancellor in this week’s Spring Statement. I do not think it’s gone far enough to help support families and households during these increasingly difficult times. Something which unfortunately will likely get worse, before it gets better.
I feel the Chancellor doesn’t fully understand the seriousness of the situation for everyday families and households, such as those living across Rhondda Cynon Taf.
As a result of this, RCT Council has looked to see how we can go further to support our residents using our discretionary powers and funding from Welsh Government, and I’m announcing a series of measures to provide further support to people living in Rhondda Cynon Taf.
In addition to the £150 Welsh Government cost of living payment to households in Council Tax bands A-D and those in receipt of Council Tax Reduction Scheme, a combined total of 92,884 properties at a value of £13,932,600, RCT Council will also be providing:
- A £100 cost of living payment to households in Council Tax bands E-F. This covers a further 9,749 properties, at a value of £974,900.
- A £150 cost of living payment to occupied properties exempt from Council Tax that house care leavers, severely mentally impaired, and people receiving/giving care.
- In addition to the above, RCT Council will provide all families with school age children (4-16 years) with an additional £50 cost of living payment, which will benefit around 22,700 households.
- The Council will also continue to make payments to those families in receipt of free school meals during school holidays until the start of the September term, and from September, Welsh Government will start to phase-in free school meals for ALL primary school children.
- RCT Council recognises the cost of living crisis is affecting more and more families who have had to turn to local food banks. So, to ensure foodbanks can continue to support our communities, we are providing them with a £50,000 payment to help them continue their vital work.
More details on how these schemes will operate will be made available in the coming week.
I hope that these additional measures help to support people and families across our communities. Rhondda Cynon Taf Council will continue to see what further support can be provided to residents to help shield them from the cost of living pressures.