PLAID CYMRU has called on the Westminster government to take urgent action on the cost-of-living crisis in Wales.

The party urged Labour today to implement several measures in the upcoming Autumn Budget, including supporting households with energy and housing costs, boosting incomes and fairly taxing extreme wealth. 

Official data shows that a quarter of Welsh households are in fuel poverty, while about 70,000 face a gap between their rent and social security payments due to the bedroom tax and shortcomings in the Local Housing Allowance.

Plaid Cymru Westminster leader Liz Saville Roberts said rising living costs “continue to hit young people, families, and pensioners across every part” of Britain.

She said: “The significant fall in living standards due to the rapid increase in the price of essential goods and services may have begun under the Tories, but people aren’t any better off under Labour today either. 

“While ordinary people are struggling to make ends meet and to pay for the bare minimum such as food and housing, large corporations and the ultra-wealthy are racking up eye-watering profits. 

“Energy network owners alone pocketed £3.9 billion in excess profits from high energy bills, money that came directly off the backs of ordinary people. 

“And with further energy price increases expected this winter, the pressure on families and pensioners will only deepen, while those at the top continue to benefit.”

She said Plaid’s proposals would “provide direct support to households in our communities as well as tackle the growing wealth imbalance.”

“It is time for those with the broadest shoulders to pay their fair share, and for communities across the UK to be given the security and support they need not only to get by, but to thrive,” Ms Saville Roberts said.