CALLS have been made for the Welsh Government to publish an emergency cost-of-living action plan as a “matter of urgency.”

Sioned Williams MS, Plaid Cymru’s spokesperson for social justice and equalities said that “too many households in Wales are being squeezed between rising costs for everyday items, rising household bills and stagnating wages, and the number of households struggling to pay for everyday items already equals the size of Swansea.”

Plaid Cymru led a debate in the Senedd on Wednesday, 19 January and called on the Welsh Government to publish an emergency cost-of-living action plan to tackle the pressures caused by the twin problems of surging costs and stagnating wages.

Ms Williams said that alongside the action plan, attention must also be given to food poverty, fuel poverty, household debt and address the well-established links between debt and mental ill-health.

“This crisis is not just looming – it’s already landed for too many Welsh households,” Ms Williams said.

“Rising cost of living, increasing energy costs and stagnating wages are all in the maelstrom of what’s being called the ‘perfect storm.’

“Thousands of households in Wales – equivalent to the whole of Swansea – are already struggling to pay for everyday items.

“With rising energy costs and tax hikes approaching in Spring 2022, the predicted £1,200 additional costs will prove a leap too far for those who are already at a socio-economic disadvantage.

“With precious few months to go before the energy price rise cap is raised, Welsh Government must act with urgency in tackling this imminent crisis, and publish an emergency action plan.”