Tens of thousands of households in Wales will receive a £100 payment to help with energy bills this winter, the Welsh Government has confirmed.
The money follows an announcement by UK Chancellor John Healey in today's Budget, in which he promised a £100 "household energy payment" for all homes in council tax bands A-D in England.
Devolved decision on funding
Because energy support is a devolved area, it is up to the Welsh Government to decide how to spend the lump sum that comes to Wales as a result of the announcement. In the Budget, Mr Healey said he hoped all devolved governments would spend the money in the same way as the UK Government was doing so in England.
The Welsh Government has now confirmed it will do the same and on the same terms. The Scottish Government has also said it would "seek to replicate" the £100 energy payment.
Payment details and timing
For those who pay their council tax by direct debit, the money will be paid directly into the bank account used for that purpose from the start of January.
On Wednesday evening, the Welsh Government's cabinet minister for finance, Elin Jones MS, said: "We know that cost-of-living pressures are causing anxiety for far too many people.
"That's why the Welsh Government's Cabinet has been discussing how we can best support households through this difficult period.
"Now that the UK Government has responded positively to the Welsh Government's calls to provide funding to make this possible, I am pleased to confirm that we will be making a £100 cost-of-living payment to all households in council tax bands A to D."
No restrictions on spending
There is no way to check what the money is spent on, so while the UK Government hopes people will spend it on energy, there are no restrictions.
