Latest news with #WarmHomeDiscount
Daily Record
24-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
The UK Government is working relentlessly to bring down energy bills for Scots households
Energy bills are too high. Families and businesses across Scotland have struggled to keep up with costs that have soared in recent years – squeezing household budgets and leaving millions worried about how they will get by. That is why I know the news that the energy price cap is falling in July will be welcomed by Daily Record readers, and families up and down the country. It will mean working people can keep more of their money in the coming months. But this is a long way from job done. The Government is relentless in our pursuit of bringing down bills for good. And we know the only way to do that is to get off the rollercoaster of fossil fuel markets controlled by dictators and petrostates. Fossil fuel shocks have caused half of Britain's recessions since 1970, and in the years since Russia's invasion of Ukraine we have seen how vulnerable we are to the impact of geopolitical events. Building clean homegrown power is the only way to take back control and protect billpayers from repeated price spikes. That is why the government is driving the most ambitious upgrade to Britain's energy infrastructure in generations through our Plan for Change. We've already consented enough wind and solar projects to power two million homes, secured more than £40 billion of investment in clean energy announced since July, lifted the onshore wind ban and set up Great British Energy with its headquarters in Aberdeen – Britain's first publicly owned energy company in more than 70 years. Every solar panel, every wind turbine and every piece of grid infrastructure we build helps get us off the fossil fuel rollercoaster so we can bring down bills once and for all. And as we take back control of our energy supply, the government is determined to do everything we can to support people struggling now. That means fighting for consumers and fixing an energy system that, for too long, frankly just hasn't worked for them. Earlier this year we launched a consultation on expanding the Warm Home Discount, which will give 220,000 more Scottish families £150 off their bills next winter, and mean that across the UK one in five families will get this vital support. Alongside it we are introducing new warm home standards for renters. I've heard heart-breaking stories from renters suffering from mould and damp. Everyone deserves a warm and safe home, which is why our plans will ensure landlords invest in the home upgrades that can bring down costs for tenants – lifting half a million private renters out of fuel poverty in the process. And we are standing up for Scottish consumers on the issues that matter to them, including acting on standing changes and forced installation of prepayment meters, and ensuring automatic compensation for wrongdoing. The reality is every family and business pays the price when energy costs rocket. That is why we will continue to take on the dogma of those who would keep us hooked on expensive, insecure fossil fuels when we can choose cheaper, clean homegrown energy instead. This government is determined to bring the country energy security once and for all. Today's expected figures are good news but we know we have so much more to do.
Business Mayor
13-05-2025
- Business
- Business Mayor
State pensioners could get extra £4,050 in payments through these two schemes
State pensioners have been encouraged to check if they are eligible for two schemes that could provide an extra £4,000 a year in payments. Payment rates rose 4.1% last month in line with the triple lock, raising the full new state pension from £221.20 a week to £230.25 a week. But an expert has warned the rise may not be enough to cover rising living costs. Rebecca Lamb, external relations manager at Money Wellness, said: 'While the 4.1% increase in state pension payments is welcome, it's unlikely to keep pace with the continued rise in living costs, especially for essentials like energy, food, and rent. 'For many pensioners, particularly those already struggling with debt or a tight budget, this uplift won't go far enough on its own.' She pointed pensioners to two ways they could boost their income. Ms Lamb said: 'To make the most of the increase, it's worth checking whether you're eligible for extra support. 'Pension Credit can boost your income, and schemes like the Warm Home Discount can help cut your energy bills.' The average Pension Credit claim is worth over £3,900 a year, while the Warm Home Discount takes £150 off your electricity bill so with these two benefits, you could effectively boost your income by £4,050. Pension Credits top up the income of those of state pension age on a low income, up to £227.10 a week for single claimants and £346.60 a week for couples. But you could get more than this as there are extra amounts depending on your situation, such as if you care for someone or if you have savings. Claiming the benefit also opens up access to other Government help, including the Winter Fuel Payment, worth £200 or £300 last winter, and a free TV licence for claimants aged 75 and over. Claimants may also be eligible for a council tax reduction, for housing benefit and for help towards NHS costs. The Warm Home Discount is a one-off discount where your electricity supplier applies the discount to your bill, if they are signed up to the scheme. Those on the Guarantee Credit part of Pension Credit – the weekly top-up element – will qualify as well some other people on a low income. Ms Lamb also encouraged pensioners that this time of year is a good time to do a review of their budget. She said: 'Start with the essentials and look for small ways to reduce spending. 'Even small savings can add up over time. And if you're worried about debt or bills, don't wait. There are free, confidential services that can help you regain control and feel more financially secure.' READ SOURCE
Daily Mirror
08-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Labour Party explains how it will cut £300 a year from UK energy bills
The Labour Party repeatedly made the pledge during its General Election campaign last year Labour has shed more light on its ambitious plan to slash energy bills by £300 annually by 2030. The party repeatedly touted this promise during its General Election campaign last year, and Prime Minister Keir Starmer has reaffirmed the commitment since taking office. SNP MP Seamus Logan queried the Government in Parliament about from what level the Government plans to bring down energy bills £300 when the change is achieved. Energy minister Miatta Fahnbulleh responded, saying: "The Government believes that our mission to deliver clean power by 2030 is the best way to break our dependence on global fossil fuel markets and protect billpayers permanently. "The creation of Great British Energy will help us to harness clean energy and have less reliance on volatile international energy markets and help in our commitment to make Britain a clean energy superpower by 2030. This, combined with our Warm Homes Plan to upgrade millions of homes to make them warmer and cheaper to run is how we will drive down energy bills and make cold homes a thing of the past." The Warm Homes Plan includes additional funding for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, which offers grants to support the transition from fossil fuel heating systems to heat pumps or biomass boilers. Through this scheme, households can receive £7,500 towards an air source heat pump, £7,500 towards a ground source heat pump, or £5,000 towards a biomass boiler. Government figures indicate that switching to a heat pump could save families about £100 annually on energy bills in contrast to using a gas boiler, while insulating a home could result in even greater savings of roughly £200 a year. Ms Fahnbulleh further explained the Government's strategy, saying: "We recognise that we need to support households struggling with bills whilst we transition to clean power by 2030. This is why we are delivering the Warm Home Discount to around 3 million eligible low-income households this winter. "On February 25, we published a consultation on the expansion of the Warm Home Discount, giving more eligible households £150 off their energy bills. These proposals would bring around 2.7 million households into the scheme – pushing the total number of households that would receive the discount next winter up to around 6 million. "The consultation has now closed and the Department is evaluating the responses." The Warm Homes Discount offers a one-off £150 deduction from your electricity bill. Those who qualify include people on the Guarantee Credit portion of Pension Credit as well as those on a low income or who are receiving certain means-tested benefits. Ministers are considering broadening the scope of the discount to include everyone on means-tested benefits. Most of the time, eligible suppliers will automatically deduct the discount from your bill — the funds aren't transferred directly to you. These suppliers are part of the scheme: 100Green (formerly Green Energy UK or GEUK) Affect Energy – see Octopus Energy Boost British Gas Bulb Energy – see Octopus Energy Co-op Energy - see Octopus Energy E - also known as E (Gas and Electricity) Ecotricity Next EDF Fuse Energy Good Energy Home Energy London Power Octopus Energy Outfox the Market OVO Rebel Energy Sainsbury's Energy Scottish Gas – see British Gas ScottishPower Shell Energy Retail So Energy Tomato Energy TruEnergy Utilita Utility Warehouse.
Yahoo
09-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Five household bills going up in April
Last month, the Bank of England warned households to expect months of pain as it forecasted higher-than-expected inflation. It warned inflation is set to peak at 3.7% in the summer following a multitude of increases to household bills next month. Here, Yahoo News UK sets out five bills which are set to rise, and by how much. Households in England and Wales will see their water bills increase by an average of £86 from April. It comes after regulator Ofwat allowed companies to raise average bills by £157 over the next five years to £597 by 2030 to help finance a £104bn upgrade for the sector. This comes as firms face accusations of years of under-investment in their crumbling infrastructure. The average increase of £86 will be front-loaded into the coming year, with smaller percentage increases in each of the next four years. People struggling to pay their water bills can consult this guidance from Citizens Advice. Households are facing another jump, equating to £111, in their energy bills from April. Ofgem's latest increase to its price cap means the average annual standard variable tariff bill in England, Scotland and Wales will rise from the current £1,738 to £1,849. It follows a recent spike in wholesale prices. The average £1,849 bill is £159 higher than this time last year but £531 lower than at the height of the energy crisis at the start of 2023. As prices creep up once more, the government has said 2.7 million extra households will be eligible for the £150 Warm Home Discount next winter. Ofgem's rules mean energy companies must work with consumers who are struggling to pay their bills. For more information, see Ofgem's website here. Analysis by PA last month found that among the 139 top-tier authorities in England that had proposed or confirmed increases, 85% were planning a rise just short of 5% from April. And for 2025/26, the government allowed Bradford, Newham, Birmingham, Somerset, and Windsor and Maidenhead to bypass the 4.99% cap, meaning they could raise council tax by more. In Scotland, meanwhile, councillors in Falkirk this week approved an increase of 15.6%, the largest so far announced by any Scottish local authority for 2025/26. The government advises people to contact their local authority as soon as possible if they are having problems paying their council tax. See its guidance here. The majority of customers who took out a contract before 10 April last year will face an increase of 6.4%, based on the inflation rate last December and an additional charge. Citizen's Advice has the following guidance for people who are struggling to pay their internet bill. The BBC licence fee will now increase in line with inflation each year until 2027, starting with a £5 rise in April to £174.50 a year. That follows a £10.50 rise last April, which had brought the charge to £169.50. It comes after the annual fee faced years of scrutiny under the Conservative government, with the new Labour administration saying the inflation-linked increases will "provide the BBC with funding certainty". People struggling to pay for the licence may be able to use the simple payment plan, which the government is expanding. It says this will allow an additional 9,000 unlicensed households experiencing financial difficulty to split up the annual payment into more manageable fortnightly and monthly instalments. Three in 10 'were put off making recent major purchase due to money worries' (PA Media) Map shows where house prices are rising the most (Yahoo News UK) Five years on: Britons among hardest hit by Covid fallout (The Guardian)
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Local people to have control of where money goes in new neighbourhood plans
Local people are set to have 'control of where the Whitehall cash goes' under funding plans for deprived neighbourhoods, ministers have announced. Officials have set aside £1.5 billion that will be shared around 75 areas across the UK. The funding can be used for projects such as youth clubs and cultural venues, as well as community services such as health and education. The scheme follows on from the long-term plan for towns under Rishi Sunak's government, which had similarly pledged funding for the same areas across Britain and Northern Ireland. In response to Ofgem's decision today to raise the energy price cap, Labour are expanding the Warm Home Discount to millions more households. Next winter 6.1 million households will be eligible to receive £150 off their energy bills. — Alex Norris MP (@AlexJJNorris) February 25, 2025 Under the 'plan for neighbourhoods', the selected areas will all be handed up to £20 million each and will have a local board set up. According to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, the boards will comprise residents, businesses, and campaigners, who will decide how the money is used. The boards will be presented with options of where the cash can be spent, such as repairs to pavements or neighbourhood watch schemes. Among the areas selected to receive funding are Coleraine in Northern Ireland, Kilmarnock in Scotland and Wrexham in Wales. Across the English regions, among the included towns are Darlington, Scarborough and Great Yarmouth. Angela Rayner, Deputy Prime Minister and the secretary of state responsible for local government said: 'For years, too many neighbourhoods have been starved of investment, despite their potential to thrive and grow. "Communities across the UK have so much to offer – rich cultural capital, unique heritage but most of all, an understanding of their own neighbourhood. "We will do things differently, our fully funded Plan for Neighbourhoods puts local people in the driving seat of their potential, having control of where the Whitehall cash goes – what issues they want to tackle, where they want to regenerate and what growth they want turbocharger." Local growth minister Alex Norris said that 'when our local neighbourhoods thrive, the rest of the country thrives too. That's why we are empowering communities to take control of their futures and create the regeneration and growth they want to see'. Money will be made available from April 2025, with projects expected to be able to get up and running in 2026. Recommended Reading Rayner quizzed ahead of changes to stamp duty discounts Rayner to tout 'power shift' of devolution plans to leaders in the North Child Benefit increase next month - the exact new figures from April 2025 The Conservatives criticised the funding plans as 'wasteful pet projects'. 'Local areas are feeling increased pressure due to immigration, increased council tax and Labour changing the local government finance settlement to benefit urban areas over rural areas,' shadow housing secretary Kevin Hollinrake said. 'Labour erased the phrase 'levelling up' from government and instead of delivering for local communities are now spending taxpayer cash on wasteful pet projects this country can't afford.'
