Isle of Wight-based charity The Footprint Trust has welcomed the surprising news that thousands of low-income Isle of Wight households are to benefit from the government’s Cost of Living support package, announced by the Chancellor on Thursday (26th May).
This means the most vulnerable households will get £1,200 of one-off support this year, with the majority of domestic electricity customers receiving at least £400.
Every household will get £400 taken off their energy bills. This replaces the proposed £200 energy loan, which was widely condemned by consumer champion Martin Lewis and many UK charities in including The Footprint Trust. Island households on ‘means tested’ benefits will receive a payment of £650 this year, made in 2 instalments. This payment will be tax-free, will not count towards the benefit cap and will not have any impact on existing benefit awards.
Pensioner households will receive an extra £300 this year to help them cover the rising cost of energy this winter. This Fuel Payment will be paid on top of any other one-off support a pensioner household is entitled to. A £150 Disability Cost of Living Payment will be paid to those in receipt of; DLA, PIP, Attendance Allowance, Armed Forces Independence Payment, Constant Attendance Allowance and War Pension Mobility Supplement.
Speaking on behalf of the Trust, General Manager Ray Harrington-Vail has said:
“We are very welcoming of this about turn in government policy, we never believed that the £200 energy loan was a good idea, as it would not have helped the fuel poor, and increased debt. The current package addresses the current crises, but we also need a long-term policy, to lift people out of fuel poverty and to insulate our housing stock.”
“The latest figures show that the Island has the second highest levels of fuel poverty in England, at around 18%. This is particularly evidenced by the large numbers of people calling our helpline, very worried about the energy price hikes.”
For guidance on energy concerns please email the Trust on [email protected] or call 01983 822282.
most vulnerable households will get £1,200
translates into – those too lazy to get a job, will have their decision justified by this further handout, at the expense of the hard working taxpayer.
but we also need a long-term policy…
yes – get a job, get a better job, make cuts and ensure that you aren’t spending on sky tv, expensive mobile phones, booze and baccy, rather than buying electric, food and gas.
taxpayers shouldn’t be expected to fund the lifestyles of those who aren’t paying in.
So, let’s have a fixed link, so we the working can escape to better paid jobs on the mainland, stop building houses over here and promote business and employment opportunities instead that are on a par with mainland wages?
Bet you wont like that.
Rant after rant after rant. Not once but twice. You really have a problem. Get Help.
Isle of wighter is not ranting Kev. You’ll find that they’re telling the truth and the facts are that the spongers will have a huge smile on their faces now and are already booking up a holiday, their next tattoo and ordering more weed.
An element of the population no doubt will fall into the category of sponger, that does not cover the full story, there are a lot of people having real problems, it is totally unfair to suggest/imply that this is the full story, one rant or more does not cover the real issue, or do you believe those in need are living the high life over all others. The vast majority of people are in need of assistance, they are not spongers. as suggested as one size fits all by Isle of Wighter.
The comments are an insult.
Why are the comments an insult, have you worked around and with these people? For many years I have worked in houses and flats belonging to these spongers and yes they do belong to them as they will never be made homeless. What a vast majority of these people have is far more than your average hard working family. We are now in the third generation of lay abouts and heading for a fourth fast. Society and do gooders has made us weak and we have forgotten or should I say banned from saying NO.
As clearly stated by myself, an element of the population will fall into the category, do not class all as spongers, there are a number of people in dire straights, to class everyone as spongers is an insult.
There is nothing else to add.
how about you suck it up, work harder, work smarter, make cuts and stop expecting everyone else to pay your way, like those spongers you defend so adamantly
Another Rant, what a surprise, PS I don’t rely on anybody else.
The rebates are an admission that prices are too high, instead of grabbing part of extortionate profits why not get the price down to save all this administration. Also ofgem were negligent in their duty allowing companies to trade in energy when ofgem knew they would not make a profit and go bust and the bill payers would be liable for the losses. Ofgem was not helping the public but were helping the fat cats. Authorities clad the tower block of society in ignorance.
Agree, handouts are dead money. Doesn’t solve the problem at all.
Back in the 80 s , inflation was higher and mortgage repayments were very high , ….
We had to suck it up and work harder , no handouts were available then …..
A nanny state is not what we need ….
Cut your cloth to what you can afford!!!!!
Nothing in life is free …
why are the people that sit on there arse all day doing nothing getting £1200 yet i work full time on a crappy wage and live well below the poverty margin and i will only get £400. i used to be proud to be british. now it’s an embarrassment!