Latest news with #DepartmentforEnergySecurityandNetZero
South Wales Argus
13 hours ago
- Business
- South Wales Argus
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.' Recommended reading: 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.' What is the Warm Home Discount Scheme? 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.
Daily Record
19 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Record
Warm Home Discount Scheme to expand and pay six million people £150 this winter
A further 240,000 households in Scotland will receive the energy bill boost this winter. Millions of households will see their energy bills cut by £150 this winter, as the UK Government delivers another major package of support to ease the cost of living for working families through the Plan for Change. Over 6 million households will benefit this year - an increase of 2.7m households, including 900,000 more families with children and a total of 1.8m households in fuel poverty. Every billpayer on means-tested benefits will now qualify, removing restrictions that previously excluded many who needed help and providing peace of mind to millions more families. The move will see 240,000 Scottish households receive the discount for the first time this winter. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said the major expansion of support for working families is the latest in a raft of cost of living support made possible because the UK Government has stabilised the economy, fixed the foundations and repaired the public finances - deliberate choices which are helping provide security and more money in the pockets of working families through the Plan for Change. 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." The energy price cap is also falling in July and today's announcement adds a further £150 in direct support for millions. This expansion of the Warm Homes Discount means families can plan for winter in the knowledge that they will receive support, giving them certainty and peace of mind before summer. The UK Government said it has also protected working people's payslips from higher taxes, frozen fuel duty and are increasing the minimum wage to give pay rises of up to £1,400 a year to millions of low-income workers. Pensioners across the UK with an income below £35,000 will also receive either a Winter Fuel Payment or Pension Age Winter Heating Payment this year, worth between £200 and £305. The expansion of the Warm Home Discount will be offset by new efficiency savings across the energy system. For example, Ofgem have confirmed a decrease in the operating cost allowance of the price cap for the average billpayer which will take money off bills. Ofgem's plans to reduce the overall stock of consumer debt, which is currently recouped via a levy on all bills, will also produce savings that help to fund the Warm Homes Discount. Adam Scorer, Chief Executive, National Energy Action said: "It's hugely positive that across Great Britain, many more low-income households on means-tested benefits will get some direct support to tackle unaffordable bills and record energy debts this winter. "Vitally, this includes many more low-income working-age households with children, who are living with the daily consequences of not having access to enough energy at home." The change will mean that all households where the means-tested benefit recipient (or their partner or legal appointee) is named on the energy bill will now be eligible to receive the £150 electricity bill rebate. It's important to be aware the money is paid directly to the energy supplier. The number of families who will receive the discount for the first time, broken down by region, include: Scotland: 240,000 Wales: 110,000 North East England: 100,000 North West England: 280,000 Yorkshire and the Humber: 210,000 East Midlands: 160,000 West Midlands: 270,000 East of England: 250,000 London: 570,000 South East England: 350,000 South West England: 220,000
North Wales Chronicle
20 hours ago
- Business
- North Wales Chronicle
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.' Recommended reading: Amazon launches new Haul service but only for some UK shoppers Martin Lewis: How to stop a banking scam with just three digits What is Amazon Subscribe and Save and is it worth doing? 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.
Daily Record
20 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Record
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.
Glasgow Times
a day ago
- Business
- Glasgow Times
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.' Recommended reading: 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.' What is the Warm Home Discount Scheme? 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.
