// BBC BUSINESS NEWS — FINANZA
Councils to share £5m in 'emergency food aid' as living costs rise
Deputy First Minister Sioned Williams says families are facing a "tough winter" with inflation rising
Welsh councils will receive £4.8 million to provide "emergency food aid" and other support for people struggling due to cost of living pressures.
The cash from the Welsh government will be split between the 22 local authorities, with those in rural areas getting a premium due to "the added challenges" of delivering support to more sparsely populated regions.
Deputy First Minister Sioned Williams said rising fuel and energy costs meant many families faced another "tough winter" and she was "targeting support where it's needed most".
Reform UK Wales said the Welsh government would have more money to spend on supporting people in need if they did not "waste money" on international spending.
The ongoing US-Iran war and pressures on oil supply in Saudi Arabia have caused fuel prices to spike in recent days.
With inflation increasing and energy bills going up next month, many people could feel more of a squeeze on their household budgets.
Local authorities will be able to give the emergency money to community organisations like food banks, lunch clubs and advice providers.
Gareth Banks volunteers at Down to Zero, which grows organic vegetables for the local community
Down To Zero, a project which has received funding previously, grows vegetables on allotments near Llantrisant in Rhondda Cynon Taf, and provides free vegetable boxes to low income families as well as lower cost subscriptions to other households within the county.