A SENEDD committee today called for more Welsh government support to help people after hearing evidence that hundreds of thousands  do not have enough money to live on.

The Senedd equality & social justice committee report said the most vulnerable people in Wales faced serious hardship as short-term cost-of-living support comes to an end.

The committee heard evidence about the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on the most vulnerable people, with Citizens Advice Cymru telling the panel that hundreds of thousands of people currently do not have enough money to live on.

Committee chairwoman Jenny Rathbone said: “The cost-of-living crisis is having a devastating impact on the health and wealth of our nation.

“This report looks at the Welsh government’s response, described as a lifeline by many.

“There are concerns about what happens next as support tapers off and households face permanently higher prices.”

One participant to the committee’s inquiry asked: “What else do you want from us? At what point do you just give up? We’re not living, we’re just existing.”

The report’s 14 recommendations for the Welsh government include ending the scandal of pre-payment meters, as well as food hunger and debt.   

A Welsh government spokesman said:  “Our 2023-24 budget included an extra £18.8 million for the discretionary assistance fund, bringing the total budget to £38.5m.

“We are doing everything we can to support people through this cost-of-living crisis by providing targeted help to those who need it the most. 

“We welcome the committee’s report and will carefully consider its recommendations.”