January Newsletter

1st January, 2022

Happy New Year.

I hope you’ve managed to safely spend time with your family, friends and loved ones over Christmas, while reflecting on what has been a difficult year for many, but with hope for better times ahead.

Please find my monthly Newsletter attached. I wrote this in between debates on parties in Downing Street and slashing tax on your energy bills – debates in which, the Prime Minister was missing in action

This has been a very intense week in Parliament and and I suspect things will only get worse for the Prime Minister.

I will keep you informed, as ever.

Best wishes,

In an Urgent Question to ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on reports of an event held in the Downing Street Garden on 20 May 2020 , I asked the Tory Minister why anyone in Newport West, or in this country, should ever believe a word this Prime Minister says again? People in Newport West and across the United Kingdom are rightfully furious – like myself – at another breach of Covid regulations by this failing and dishonest Tory Prime Minister.

You can watch my question here: https://fb.watch/aupM85mHH_/

The fact that not one single Cabinet Minister and very few Tory backbenchers were in the Chamber for this debate shows that Boris Johnson is haemorrhaging support from in his party. Tory MPs couldn’t even bring themselves to defend the Prime Minister’s actions, so why should we?

I also spoke in the Opposition Day Debate on VAT on home energy bills, on behalf of many people across Newport West who have been in touch with me about the cost of living crisis facing our country.

You can watch my speech here: https://fb.watch/atr_y2JVxt/

Working families across the United Kingdom are feeling the pinch with rising prices as inflation is out of control. People in Newport West are paying more for food, more for heating and energy bills, more for fuel and more in tax.

How is this affecting people in Newport West?

According to the Bevan Foundation’s recent report, 4 in 10 households in Wales do not have enough money to buy anything beyond everyday items. This is a deterioration from the position in May when the figure stood at 1/3 of households. We are heading in the wrong direction, and we need the UK Government to step up and step in.

Living standards are being squeezed – thousands of households are having to cut back and ration their use of the essentials we all need to live with dignity. Low-income households, renters, disabled people, lone parents, and adults aged between 25 – 64 in Newport West are more likely to have had to cut back on everyday essentials than other groups.

And the impact on children is worsening. More than 1 in 5 families with children have had to cut back on items for children including books, toys, nappies and clothing, whilst 1 in 10 families with 2 children have had to cut back on food.

Personal debt is a major problem – Since May 2021, 25% of Welsh households have borrowed money whilst 12% of Welsh households are at least one month behind on a bill.

This cost-of-living crisis is real.

That is why, in Newport West and across Wales, there is broad public support for taking action to support struggling households. Most people in Wales support taking action that would ease the pressure felt by struggling households and if the Tories voted with Labour just this week, then action could have been taken. But they didn’t.

Earlier this week, Labour forced a vote to cut the rate on VAT on household energy bills as soon as possible which would help support families struggling to pay their bills.

But the Tories voted against Labour’s motion. The Tories voted against keeping energy bills low and I cannot understand it.

Please rest assured, I will continue to put pressure on the UK Government and press Government Ministers on this matter.

The cost of living crisis is having a devastating impact on people in Newport West. Times are very difficult at the moment. My office continues to support people across Newport West, so if you have a query or need assistance please contact us on ruth.jones.mp@parliament.uk or 01633 256268.

Here is a list of useful links below, to ensure that you are getting all the support you need.

Firstly, please check that you’re receiving all the benefits you’re entitled to by heading to: http://benefits-calculator-2.turn2us.org.uk

Since May 2021, 25% of Welsh households have borrowed money, whilst 12% of Welsh households are at least one month behind on a bill. If you have any money worries, Step Change can help you. Step Change is a listed charity that helps you deal with your debt in a manageable way. Head to their website: https://www.stepchange.org

Help with Energy Bills

Warm Home Discount Scheme

You could get £140 off your electricity bill for winter 2021 to 2022 under the Warm Home Discount Scheme.
The money is not paid to you – it’s a one-off discount on your electricity bill, between October and March.

You may be able to get the discount on your gas bill instead if your supplier provides you with both gas and electricity. Contact your supplier to find out.

The Winter Fuel Support Scheme

As part of support package of over £50m to address immediate pressures on living costs, Welsh Government has made available over £38 million through a Winter Fuel Support Scheme.

The scheme will provide a one-off £100 cash payment to one working age household member responsible for utility bills.

The payment will be available to all eligible households regardless of whether they pay for their on-grid fuel on a pre-payment meter, by direct debit or by paying a bill quarterly.

You must be in receipt of a certain welfare benefit at any time between 1st December 2021 and 31st January 2022.

Income Support
Income Based Job Seekers Allowance
Income Based Employment & Support Allowance
Universal Credit
Working Tax Credits

Applications are open until midnight on 18 February 2022.

Winter Fuel Payment

If you were born on or before 26 September 1955 you could get between £100 and £300 to help you pay your heating bills. This is known as a ‘Winter Fuel Payment’.

This guide is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).

You will get your Winter Fuel Payment automatically (you do not need to claim) if you’re eligible and either:

get the State Pension
get another social security benefit (not Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction, Child Benefit or Universal Credit)

If you do not get either of these, or if you live abroad, you may need to make a claim.

If you’ve got a Winter Fuel Payment before, you do not need to claim again unless you’ve deferred your State Pension or moved abroad.

The deadline for you to make a claim for winter 2021 to 2022 is 31 March 2022.

This month constituents have mostly been in touch with my office about:

– Health, Services and Medicine
– Parliament, Government and Politics
– Agriculture, Animals, Food and Rural Affairs