SEVEN million payments of £324 have been made to low-income families through the government’s cost of living support in the week, November 14-18, including to 8,500 local families here in Central Devon.

Nationally, £2.3 billion has been paid to more than 99 per cent of those eligible across the UK.

A further one million families eligible solely through tax credits will receive payment between November 23 and 30.

Eligible claimants who have not yet received their payment should not be concerned, as the DWP expects some payments may take a few days to come through.

A GOV.UK page for reporting missing Cost of Living Payments is now available and the DWP has begun processing claims to ensure outstanding payments reach those eligible as quickly as possible.

Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Central Devon MP Mel Stride, said: “This Government promised to protect those on the lowest incomes, and it is great to be able to confirm that we have delivered on this commitment with our latest Cost of Living Payment reaching over seven million households in the week November 14-18 alone, including 8,500 in Central Devon.

“This payment is just one part of a wider support package the Government has provided, with millions of families benefiting from a Council Tax rebate and pensioners across the country receiving winter fuel support as the weather gets colder and disabled people getting help with additional costs they face.

“We will continue to support the most vulnerable as we deal with the impact of Putin’s illegal war in Ukraine and the aftermath of the pandemic.”

This is the second instalment of the £650 Cost of Living Payment – part of the Government’s £37 billion support package for households – with millions also benefiting from the £400 grant to help with energy bills and 85 per cent of households in bands A to D receiving the £150 Council Tax rebate.

Nearly one in 10 people have also received the £150 disability payment this Autumn, and an estimated eight million pensioner households will receive an extra £300 in their Winter Fuel Payments this winter.