UK introduces new measures to help with cost of living
英國推出新措施以緩解生活成本壓力
As of April 1, 2026, the UK government has introduced a new suite of cost-of-living measures designed to provide financial relief to households.
自2026年4月1日起，英國政府推出了一系列旨在減輕家庭經濟壓力的生活成本應對措施。
Simultaneously, wages have received a significant boost; the National Living Wage for those 21 and over has risen to £12.71 per hour.
與此同時，薪資也有顯著提升；針對21歲以上勞工的國家生活工資（National Living Wage）調漲至每小時12.71英鎊。
For younger workers aged 18–20, the National Minimum Wage has increased to £10.85 per hour, offering a substantial yearly lift.
針對18至20歲的年輕勞工，國家最低工資（National Minimum Wage）則調高至每小時10.85英鎊，提供每年相當可觀的收入增長。
Furthermore, the State Pension has grown by 4.8%, reaching £241.30 per week, while the controversial two-child limit on Universal Credit has been officially removed.
此外，國民退休金（State Pension）成長了4.8%，達到每週241.30英鎊；而備受爭議的綜合福利救濟（Universal Credit）中的「兩孩限制」（tw-o ch-ild l-im-it）（ㄌㄧㄤˇㄏㄞˊㄒㄧㄢˋㄓˋ）也已正式取消。
To assist those in immediate crisis, a new £1 billion fund is being managed by local councils to provide targeted help for essentials like food and energy.
為協助處於迫切危機中的民眾，政府設立了一項總額10億英鎊的基金，由地方議會負責管理，提供針對性的民生必需品（如食物與能源）補助。
Despite these efforts, some households remain concerned about rising costs in areas like council tax and broadband.
儘管有這些努力，部分家庭仍對市政稅（council tax）和寬頻費用等領域的開銷上升感到擔憂。
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has described these policies as essential to navigating global economic instability.
首相凱爾·斯塔默（Keir Starmer）表示，這些政策對於應對全球經濟動盪至關重要。
