Latest news with #WarmHomeDiscount
South Wales Argus
an hour 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.
North Wales Chronicle
8 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
8 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.
The Independent
9 hours ago
- Business
- The Independent
Why millions more households will receive the £150 Warm Home Discount
The Warm Home Discount scheme has been expanded to provide £150 directly off energy bills for around six million people, including 900,000 families with children and 1.8 million households in fuel poverty. To be eligible, the bill payer must either receive the guarantee credit element of pension credit or be on a low income. An additional two million people will now receive the automatic discount, after the previous requirement for low-income households to have 'high energy costs' to qualify for the payment was removed. The £150 discount is applied automatically to eligible customers' energy bills between October and March. This positive development for households comes as energy regulator Ofgem is set to drop its energy price cap by 7 per cent for July to September. Rule change to bring £150 winter energy discount to millions more – here's who's eligible
Daily Mirror
11 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Warm Home Discount explained as 2.7million households set for £150 energy help
In new plans confirmed this week, an extra 2.7 million households will be entitled to the Warm Home Discount this winter - this would increase the number of eligible people to over six million Millions more households will be eligible for £150 off their energy bills this winter as the Warm Home Discount scheme is set to be expanded. The Warm Home Discount gives you £150 directly off your electricity bill. In new plans confirmed this week, an extra 2.7 million households will be entitled to the Warm Home Discount this winter. This would increase the number of eligible people to over six million in total. 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.' What is the Warm Home Discount? The £150 discount is applied to your energy account, as opposed to a direct cash payment into your bank. It is normally applied between October and March. If you're a prepayment meter, you will be sent a top-up voucher. If you live in England and Wales and you are eligible for the Warm Home Discount, you should receive it automatically. The rules are different in Scotland, where you may need to apply. Who is eligible for the Warm Home Discount - and how is it changing? If you live in England and Wales, you currently qualify for the Warm Home Discount if you get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit, or you claim means-tested benefits and have high energy costs. But the Government has now confirmed the high-cost-to-heat threshold for the Warm Home Discount in England and Wales, meaning you will now qualify just based on the benefits you claim. If you live in Scotland, you qualify if you get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit, or you claim a means-tested benefit. Your electricity supplier may have extra eligibility criteria. If you claim Pension Credit in Scotland, then you will get the Warm Home Discount automatically - otherwise, you will need to apply. The level of spend available in Scotland for suppliers is also increasing from this winter. How many more people will get Warm Home Discount? The number of families who will receive the discount for the first time, broken down by region, include: 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 Wales: 110,000 Scotland: 240,000 Other ways to cut your energy bill If you're struggling, your first step should be to contact your energy provider and ask what help is available. You should ideally do this before you fall behind on a payment. Some of the tailored support you may be offered includes a payment plan, payment breaks and affordable debt repayments. It is also worth asking them if you're definitely on their cheapest deal. If you're a prepayment energy customer and you're worried about running out of power, you should be able to access emergency credit. This is usually worth between £5 and £10, but some may offer more than this - for example, Utilita gives customers up to £15. You should also check if your energy firm offers hardship funds or grants that you don't need to pay back. For example, the British Gas Energy Trust offers help worth up to £2,000. In the winter, there are Cold Weather Payments worth £25 that are issued when the average temperature is recorded as, or forecast to be, 0C or below over seven consecutive days. This is available to people on certain benefits. There are also Winter Fuel Payments worth up to £300 for pensioner households. Finally, the following charities can offer you support if you are struggling to pay for your energy, or if you are in energy debt:
