Quarter of a million more Scots households to receive £150 energy bills discount
Some 240,000 more families in Scotland will be eligible for the Warm Home Discount.
Nearly a quarter of a million more Scots households are to receive a £150 energy bills discount this winter.
Some 240,000 more families in Scotland will be eligible for the Warm Home Discount, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has announced.
People who are on means-tested benefits will automatically see the money knocked off their bills.
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.'
The number of households UK-wide receiving the discount is doubling to six million.
This includes 900,000 families with children and 1.8 million homes in fuel poverty.
Energy companies pay for the discount but the government sets out who is eligible to receive it.
The Tories had limited who would receive it to those on the guaranteed element of pension credit, or those on means-tested-benefits living in a home with a high energy score.
But now the eligibility based on property size, type and home energy score has been binned.
It comes soon after the UK Government U-turned on its cuts to the Winter Fuel Payment.
Labour took away the benefit of up to £300 a year away from all pensioners who are not on Pension Credit just weeks after last year's general election.
But earlier this month the UK Government announced most pensioners will now receive it.
The Scottish government had said it would provide still provide a universal payment, but changed its plans to restore the payment in full to most pensioners.
Those with an income of more than £35,000 will have the payment clawed back through the tax system.
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