POVERTY campaigners in Wales urged people experiencing extreme financial hardship to seek help from a Welsh government fund.

The calls came after figures released this weekend showed that over 30,000 people in Wales had sought help from the scheme last Christmas.

Welsh government figures revealed 33,351 people had accessed £2.36 million in payments from its discretionary assistance fund last December.

The Bevan Foundation, a Welsh poverty think tank, urged people to seek support.

Victoria Winckler, director of the foundation, said: “The fund is a lifeline for people in severe financial hardship and when there is nowhere left to turn, the fund can help with money for food, heating and other things.”

Citizens Advice Cymru assistant director Luke Young said: “If you have lost your job, waiting for your first benefit payment or have no money to buy food, gas and electricity, the fund may be able to help.”

Mr Young also argued that more people are entitled to the £200 Wales fuel support scheme, which is money from the Welsh government on top of Westminster payments.

The advice from poverty campaigners came as social justice minister Jane Hutt pledged the fund would not be cut and urged people to check their eligibility for help.

“These figures show it has been a crucial source of emergency help for many, and make it clear why we will not be making cuts to the Budget,” she said.

In the Welsh government’s draft 2023-24 Budget it announced an additional £18.8 million in funding for the discretionary assistance fund.

Two types of grant are available within the fund and do not need to be paid back.