- More than quarter of a million families to receive letters confirming they will get £150 off their energy bills this winter through the Warm Home Discount.
LONDON – More than a quarter of a million families across England and Wales will begin receiving confirmation this week of a £150 discount on their energy bills, as part of a major government initiative to tackle energy affordability.
The support comes through the expanded Warm Home Discount scheme, which Prime Minister Keir Starmer last year extended to cover an additional 2.7 million families. The move means a total of 6 million households will now receive the financial help this winter, including 900,000 more families with children and 1.8 million households classified as being in fuel poverty.
Notification letters started arriving from today, with all eligible households set to receive confirmation before January. For the vast majority, the £150 will be automatically deducted from their energy bills, requiring no action.
However, some households are being advised to call a dedicated helpline to provide extra information, such as confirming their account details with an electricity bill, to ensure they receive the discount.
In a statement, Prime Minister Keir Starmer framed the support as a short-term measure while the government pursues long-term energy reforms. "This cash injection will help people manage their bills while we fix the rusting energy system we inherited," he said. "Because it is only through our clean energy mission that we will get bills down for everyone in the long-run – creating jobs and economic growth along the way."
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband urged eligible families to act if needed. "Letters will be dropping on doormats across the country this week containing welcome news for hundreds of thousands of families," Miliband said. "I would urge anyone who needs to provide extra information to follow the straightforward steps and make sure they get money off their bills this winter."
The government has simplified the eligibility criteria, meaning every bill-payer on means-tested benefits now qualifies for the discount. This change removes restrictions that previously excluded many in need.
The announcement comes as wholesale gas costs remain 75% higher than pre-Russia-Ukraine war levels. The government has stated that a permanent solution lies in transitioning to clean, homegrown power to insulate the UK from volatile fossil fuel markets. Further proposals are expected in the forthcoming Warm Homes Plan later this year.
