BASINGSTOKE'S MP has said that the government tax rebate plans are there to provide "immediate help" after a senior councillor raised concerns that more needs to be done.

Millions of households will typically have to pay an extra £693 a year on their energy bills from April, but chancellor Rishi Sunak said his support plan would take the "sting" out of the rise.

Mr Sunak said the majority of families would receive a total of £350 to help them adjust to higher prices. Despite this, only £150 will arrive by the time energy bills rise in April.

SEE MORE: Energy crises: Senior councillor concerned for residents after calling government scheme an 'absolute joke'

As previously reported Cllr Paul Harvey leader of the Independent group expressed his concerns about the help provided to residents in Basingstoke.

Maria Miller said:" The rising cost of living is yet another unwelcome legacy of the Covid Pandemic, particularly as the cost of electricity and gas rise as well. With prices going up families need extra cash to make ends meet. For many hundreds of families that extra cash has come from moving back into work after job losses in the lockdowns."

She said that Basingstoke "has bounced back strongly" with "unemployment falling by half".

She added: "To support thousands of other Basingstoke families with rising costs the government has already announced a Council Tax rebate of £150 this year for every household in England in Council Tax Bands A-D. For anyone who wouldn't benefit from this Council Tax rebate there's an extra £144 million discretionary funding to enable local authorities in England to provide support that is tailored to the needs of the people living in their area.

"There will undoubtedly be real pressures on many family finances in the coming months, this support is designed to give some immediate help."

Despite this Cllr Harvey said the government announcements “don’t go even close” to supporting the most vulnerable residents.

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He said: “We have to do something to step up to help. We need to tell the government that their scheme is an absolute joke. We have to look at who is the most vulnerable in our communities, those who are having to choose between heating and eating and do something about it now.

“This is absolutely a real problem for so many people, it cannot be left.”

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