Neath Port Talbot's new cabinet have given the go-ahead for plans to deliver a £2m Hardship Relief Scheme in the borough this month, with the aim of helping residents who are most in need as the cost of living crisis continues.
At a cabinet meeting that took place on Wednesday, June 29, council bosses heard how the relief scheme would provide a range of help for eligible residents in the form of cash support, as well as things like emergency electricity top-up vouchers, or longer lasting support such as home insulation.
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It would be in addition to the Welsh Government’s cost of living support scheme, and is aimed at supporting those residents most in need of help as the crisis continues.
Cabinet also agreed that Warm Wales, a Port Talbot-based organisation was in a unique position to draw on a range of support both locally and nationally, and should help the council deliver the initiative, ensuring best value for the hardship scheme.
Warm Wales was founded in 2004, and was established by the National Grid with the specific aim of tackling fuel poverty in one million homes in Wales and south-west England.
Further details about the scheme are now set to be released in the coming months, with Councillor Simon Knoyle, cabinet member for finance performance and justice saying how those most in need would benefit.
He said: "The proposed scheme will provide a range of targeted interventions. Interventions could be delivered on a one-off basis such as emergency electricity top-up vouchers or longer lasting support such as home insulation. The purpose of the scheme is to target and provide help for those who are most in need and to do that within the current financial year." You can read more of our stories from Neath Port Talbot here.
