Energy bills: Millions eligible for £150 Warm Home Discount
The Warm Home Discount scheme, which helps households in the UK with the cost of energy bills, will be extended to another 2.7 million homes.
This brings the number of households eligible for the warm home discount up to just over 6 million, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has confirmed after a consultation.
The changes remove some restrictions on eligibility and mean every bill payer on means-tested benefits will qualify.
Some 900,000 families with children and 1.8 million homes in fuel poverty are set to benefit from the payment.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: 'I know families are still struggling with the cost of living, and I know the fear that comes with not being able to afford your next bill.
'Providing security and peace of mind for working people is deeply personal to me as Prime Minister and foundational for the Plan for Change.
'I have no doubt that, like rolling out free school meals, breakfast clubs and childcare support, extending this £150 energy bills support to millions more families will make a real difference.'
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: 'Millions of families will get vital support with the cost of living this coming winter, demonstrating this government's commitment to put money in people's pockets through our Plan for Change.'
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Simon Francis, Coordinator of the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, commented: 'Expanding the Warm Home Discount is a welcome step that will help more households this winter.
"But the scheme still leaves out some of those most at risk, including people with long-term health conditions, disabilities and those on non-means tested benefits who often face the highest energy costs.
'With bills still hundreds of pounds higher than in 2020, millions will continue to face unaffordable energy and cold, damp homes this winter.
'Alongside the energy efficiency investment announced in the Spending Review, the government must commit to a permanent social tariff and reform energy pricing to ensure every household can benefit from cheap renewable energy.'
The Conservatives criticised the move, saying energy prices are expected to keep climbing overall.
Andrew Bowie, the acting shadow energy secretary, said: 'Labour promised to cut everyone's energy bills by £300 but they have increased by £280 and are forecast to keep going up.
'Energy bills need to come down but this announcement will cut bills for just a quarter of households whilst increasing them for everyone else.
'Kemi Badenoch and I have been clear that net zero by 2050 is impossible without bankrupting Britain and making hard-working families worse off.'
The Warm Home Discount Scheme is a one-off discount on your electricity bill worth £150.
The money is not paid directly to you but is taken off of your energy bills between October 2024 and March 2025.
You may be able to get the discount on your gas bill instead of your electricity bill if your supplier provides you with both and you are eligible.
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