Latest news with #WarmHomesDiscountScheme
Daily Mirror
24-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
DWP payment of £150 confirmed for millions who meet new criteria
The Warm Home Discount Scheme will be extended to over 6 million households this winter - an increase of 2.7m households - and will see the DWP provide £150 to those eligible Millions of households will see their energy bills slashed by £150 this winter, as the UK Government rolls out another substantial support package to alleviate cost of living pressures for working families through the Plan for Change. More than 6 million households will benefit from the Warm Home Discount Scheme this year - a rise of 2.7m households. This includes 900,000 additional families with children and a total of 1.8m households experiencing fuel poverty. Every billpayer receiving means-tested benefits will now qualify, scrapping restrictions that previously left out many who desperately needed assistance and offering reassurance to millions more families. The initiative will see 240,000 Scottish households receive the discount for the first time this winter. However, it's crucial to understand the £150 is paid directly from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to the energy supplier - households do not receive the cash, reports the Daily Record. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said the significant expansion of support for working families represents the latest in a series of cost of living measures 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 recently 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 added: "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 dropped at the beginning of July, helping slash costs throughout the summer months. Ofgem's next price cap adjustment is scheduled to take effect on October 1. This broadening of the Warm Homes Discount Scheme enables families to prepare for the colder months knowing they will receive assistance, offering them reassurance and confidence before temperatures begin to plummet. The UK Government stated it has also shielded working people's wages from increased taxes, maintained the fuel duty freeze and is boosting the minimum wage to deliver pay increases of up to £1,400 annually to millions of low-paid workers. Pensioners throughout the UK earning less than £35,000 will also be entitled to either a Winter Fuel Payment or Pension Age Winter Heating Payment this year, valued between £200 and £305. The expansion of the Warm Home Discount will be balanced by new efficiency savings across the energy system. For instance, Ofgem has confirmed a reduction in the operating cost allowance of the price cap for the average billpayer, which will result in lower bills. Ofgem's strategies to decrease the overall consumer debt stock, currently recouped via a levy on all bills, will also generate savings that contribute to funding the Warm Homes Discount. Adam Scorer, Chief Executive of National Energy Action, commented: "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." This change implies that all households where the means-tested benefit recipient (or their partner or legal appointee) is named on the energy bill will now qualify for the £150 electricity bill rebate. It's worth noting that this 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
Daily Record
23-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
DWP heating bill help set to provide £150 to six million people this winter
A further 240,000 households in Scotland will receive the Warm Home Discount later this year. 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 from the Warm Home Discount Scheme 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. However, it's important to be aware the £150 is paid directly from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to the energy supplier - households do not receive the money. 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 recently 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 added: "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 fell at the start of July, helping reduce costs over the summer. The next Ofgem price cap is due to come into effect on October 1. This expansion of the Warm Homes Discount Scheme means families can plan for winter in the knowledge that they will receive support, giving them certainty and peace of mind before the temperature starts to drop. 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 worth repeating that this 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
