The Department for Work and Pensions has confirmed that millions more families will receive £150 in support this year through an expanded Warm Home Discount scheme.
The announcement followed a parliamentary question from Lord John Taylor about government strategies to tackle inflation.
Lord Spencer Livermore detailed several targeted measures, including increasing the Universal Credit Standard Allowance, extending the Household Support Fund with £1 billion annually for crisis support through councils, and expanding Free School Meals to all children with a parent on Universal Credit from 2026.
The Warm Home Discount, which provides a one-off £150 reduction on electricity bills, will now cover around 6 million households.
Previously available in England to those receiving the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit and certain other low-income households facing high energy costs, the scheme is being widened to encompass anyone claiming a means-tested benefit, including Universal Credit.
This extension will bring an additional 2.7 million households into eligibility.
The funds are transferred directly to energy providers, who then reduce electricity bills by the corresponding amount.
Suppliers handling both electricity and gas may allow the discount to be applied to gas bills instead.
Those using pre-payment or pay-as-you-go electricity meters remain eligible, with suppliers providing guidance on claiming the reduction, possibly through vouchers for topping up meters.
Customers with standard credit or smart prepayment meters should automatically see the £150 credit added to their electricity accounts between October 2025 and March 2026.
2025-10-02 12:31:00
UK inflation has unexpectedly accelerated to 3.8% in July, primarily driven by rising food, fuel, and airfare costs.
2025-08-24 16:33:00
UK inflation has unexpectedly accelerated to 3.8% in July, primarily driven by rising food, fuel, and airfare costs.
2025-08-24 10:10:00
Despite earlier predictions of a fall, UK households are now being warned that their energy bills are expected to rise from October.
2025-08-23 10:35:00
A new survey reveals that tenants in England are spending an 'unaffordable' 36% of their income on rent, highlighting the country's severe housing affordability crisis.
2025-08-22 13:57:00
City Pub Group has warned of 'significant challenges' in its first half due to the cost of living crisis and changing consumer habits.
2025-08-21 22:24:00
New data reveals a 'heartbreaking' trend with more than 200 pubs across the UK closing their doors in just the last six months, highlighting the severe challenges facing the hospitality sector.
2025-08-21 19:55:00
Leading forecasters expect Ofgem’s Q4 cap to edge down to roughly £1,698 for a typical household, offering marginal relief.
2025-08-20 18:39:32
Lender Close Brothers has set aside an additional £33 million to compensate customers for overcharged car loans, marking a fresh blow amid the ongoing investigation into historical mis-selling in the UK car finance market.
2025-10-01 17:36:00
The state pension age is expected to rise again, leaving 1.5 million Britons in 'benefit limbo' who are too young to retire but have lost access to key benefits and tax credits.
2025-10-01 15:11:00
Chinese money launderer Zhimin Qian has been convicted in one of the UK’s largest-ever money laundering cases, bringing an end to a seven-year Met Police investigation into a global scheme to clean illicit cryptoassets by purchasing property.
2025-10-01 14:10:00
A new report has urged the government to accelerate the rise of the state pension age to 68, arguing that the welfare bill is becoming unsustainable and that past governments have 'treated the issue like a hot potato.'
2025-10-01 10:36:00
Asian shares traded in a narrow range as traders prepared for a potential US government shutdown, while Wall Street finished higher, boosted by technology stocks and US interest rate cut expectations.
2025-09-30 19:40:00
Replace bathtubs with groutless showers for easier cleaning, water savings, and timeless design.
2025-09-30 17:58:00
The Jersey Communication Foundation has distributed grants exceeding £23,000 to six local projects, aiming to create a 'level playing field' and tackle social mobility issues in the Teesside community.
2025-09-29 16:55:00
Bullion has hit a series of record highs, putting 2025 on track for gold’s strongest annual performance since 1979, driven by high inflation, interest rate volatility, and escalating geopolitical crises.
2025-09-29 16:45:00
Drivers advised to verify QR codes in car parks to avoid fraudulent payment sites.
2025-09-29 12:38:00
Use lemons, vinegar, and other foods for eco-friendly cleaning, avoiding harsh chemicals.
2025-09-28 19:25:00
US cattle and beef prices have soared to record highs amid tight domestic supply, strong consumer demand, and ranchers’ reluctance to expand herds, with restaurant owners forced to pass on soaring costs to diners.
2025-09-28 19:03:00
Gold is on track for its strongest annual performance since 1979, with bullion hitting a series of record highs driven by high interest rates, inflation, and increasing geopolitical crises.
2025-09-28 18:14:00
Wales’ new Visitor Levy has been signed into law, giving Welsh councils the choice to introduce a tourism tax on overnight stays, with the earliest possible implementation date now set for 2027.
2025-09-28 13:59:00
The Liberal Democrats warn that an estimated 1.3 million people will pay an additional £285 a year in a 'stealth tax' if the chancellor freezes income tax thresholds.
2025-09-23 16:21:00
22% of workers report money worries harming job performance, with 19% taking sick leave due to financial stress, per BSA research.
2025-09-23 13:26:00
BMW sets aside £206.9m for potential car finance mis-selling payouts amid FCA investigation.
2025-09-22 16:47:00
UK housing market sees 2% price drop in Q3 2025, driven by high interest rates and economic uncertainty.
2025-09-22 15:23:00
A three-bedroom house in Nantlle filled with rubbish goes to auction with a £45,000 guide price, requiring full renovation.
2025-09-20 23:40:00
Expert warns of five common central heating errors adding hundreds to UK households' energy bills.
2025-09-20 14:47:00
Cold Weather Payments activated in parts of UK as temperatures drop below zero for seven consecutive days.
2025-09-20 11:36:00
UK house prices rise just 1.2% in 2025, with high interest rates cooling demand, says Halifax.
2025-09-19 20:11:00
10Bet Casino offers new customers a 100% matched deposit bonus up to £50 with specific terms and conditions.
2025-09-19 18:42:00
Around 270,000 motorists to receive £200 million in compensation after insurers undervalued stolen or written-off vehicle claims.
2025-09-19 18:29:00