Cost of living crisis: how does UK compare with rest of Europe?

theguardian.com:

As the cost of living crisis continues to bite, millions of households are in need of help. And the problem has spread across Europe. In the UK, more than 8 million households, who are on income-related benefits and tax credits, are eligible for a £650 cost of living payment, while there is also a £300 pensioner payment and a £150 disability payment. In the winter, there will be a £400 discount on electricity bills for all households. A £150 rebate on council tax for bands A-D has been paid to many households, but it is understood some families are still waiting to receive it.

There have been other schemes, too, such as the government-backed “Great British Rail Sale” announced in April, which saw a million off-peak, mostly advance, train tickets discounted by up to 50%. A cost of living package unveiled a few days ago, initially includes a mix of new and pre-existing discounts on meals, mobile tariffs and theatre tickets from businesses including Asda, Morrisons, Amazon and Vodafone.

But how does the UK compare with other European countries?

Ireland has given out energy credits, reduced tax on gas, electricity, petrol and diesel, and cut bus and train fares in one of the EU’s most expensive countries. Measures introduced since the start of 2022 have put an extra €480 (£403) in the average person’s pocket.

Households were given a €200 energy credit in April, followed by 9% to 13.5% cuts in VAT that will save households approximately €50 on gas and €70 on electricity. Fares on public transport were cut by 20% in April, and halved for those aged 19 to 23. Fuel duty cuts amount to 20 cents per litre of petrol, and 15 cents per litre of diesel.

The government says measures in last October’s budget, such as increasing the weekly