Arfon MP Arfon Hywel Williams has welcomed an increase in the Winter Fuel Payment for people on Universal Credit, but has called for further targeted measures to help families struggling with the cost-of-living crisis.

The Winter Fuel Support Scheme will rise from £100 to £200 and those who have already received the payments will get the extra money in the coming weeks.

However, Hywel Williams MP has called on the Westminster Government to provide immediate support to mitigate the impact of the cost-of-living crisis and anticipated energy price hike on the most vulnerable people in his constituency.

Mr Williams said: "This is welcome extra support for the thousands of people in Wales who are facing that impossible choice between heating and eating this winter.

"But the reality is that this payment won’t help everyone in need. For the vast majority of those who live in fuel poverty who are not in receipt of benefits, it can only be seen as a starting point.

"Plaid Cymru has consistently called on the Westminster Government to provide immediate support, particularly to those who need support the most.

"This includes reinstating the £20 uplift to Universal Credit to the over 8,000 claimants in Gwynedd, as well as extending it to legacy benefit claimants; a substantial state funded increase to the Warm Homes Discount and improving the eligibility criteria to cover all poor working aged households automatically and making improvements to Cold Weather Payment calculations that will help people in upland areas of the county in particular.

"Whilst there are many areas the Labour Welsh Government could take to curb the cost of living, such as capping social rents and freezing rail fares, it is ultimately the Westminster Government, for now, who hold the key levers to alleviate poverty and to properly get to grips with the energy and cost of living crisis."