The Welsh Government has doubled its support payment to help households struggling with rising energy bills.

The Winter Fuel Support Scheme was unveiled in December, giving eligible households a one-off £100 payment. This has now been upped to £200.

People who have already received £100 through the scheme will receive another £100 payment in the coming weeks, while new applicants will be able to apply for the £200 before February 28.

The payments, which are being processed by local authorities across Wales, are part of a £51m Welsh Government scheme to support the most vulnerable in society with household bills.

Making the announcement, Wales’ Social Justice Minister, Jane Hutt, said: “Right across Wales, people are seeing their bills rise and wages are being stretched like never before. From energy bills, to prices at the pumps and the costs of everyday essentials.

“We know some people are facing the incredibly difficult decision about whether they heat or eat. We’re in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis, which is getting worse.”

Ms Hutt said the Welsh Government support is “making a real difference to the lives of low income households” and added: “We are determined to do all we can to support our people with the bills they are facing, and this will go a long way to do just that.

Plaid Cymru Senedd Member Peredur Owen Griffiths, who represents the South Wales East region, has previously called on the Welsh Government to help those who will struggle with the looming energy price hike.

Mr Griffiths said the payment being increased is a “welcome step” and continued: “The Bevan Foundation recently found that four in ten Welsh households are finding it difficult to afford anything beyond basic essentials. People are already struggling in huge numbers and that’s before the two large increases in fuel bills that are predicted to come in April and October.”

But he added: “While I welcome this scheme, it won’t be enough to cover the increase in the cost of living and it especially won’t be enough for those already in debt.

“For those who are in fuel poverty but not in receipt of benefits, this scheme is not applicable and will not help them.

“This scheme is a starting point but more is needed to counter the cost-of-living crisis our communities face.”