Next Monday September 5th, the result of the Conservative Party leadership contest will be announced, and a new Prime Minister will take office. My own vote has been cast for Rishi Sunak, as I believe he is highly competent and incredibly talented, but I know we are going to be in safe hands whether it is he or Liz Truss who becomes PM.
Our new PM will hit the ground running and I would expect several policy announcements in the days ahead. Understandably, the impact of global inflation and record high energy prices from October, as a result of Russia’s war against Ukraine, is very concerning for many of us. More help for households is clearly going to be needed and while other political parties will no doubt be trying to worry people and score political points, I fully expect our new Prime Minister to act decisively.
While more help will be coming, it is worth reflecting on the actions already taken. From this Friday, around 1.1 million claimant families receiving tax credits, will get their first Cost of Living Payment of £326. A second payment will be made to eligible customers from the winter.
The Cost of Living payments are part of the government’s £37 billion package of support, which will see millions of low-income households receive at least £1,200 this year to help cover rising costs. As well as the Cost of Living Payment, other government support includes the universal £400 discount to help with the cost of energy bills from October to March, £300 Pensioner Cost of Living Payment that will be paid alongside Winter Fuel Payments, and £150 Disability Cost of Living Payment from 20 September for those receiving an eligible disability benefit.
This is on top of the government’s £150 council tax rebate in the spring for all households in council tax bands A-D. As of a few weeks ago, several thousand Crawley households who don’t pay their council tax by direct debit, had still yet to claim this payment that’s being distributed through Crawley Borough Council. If you haven’t yet, please do claim this.
Councillor Duncan Crow, Leader of Crawley Borough Council Conservative Group
31st August 2022
