The government has announced an expansion of the Warm Home Discount, meaning that it will go to all households on means-tested benefits this winter.
In response, National Energy Action Chief Executive Adam Scorer says, ‘It’s hugely positive that across Great Britain, all 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. These families are in dire need of more support – and so are many more who aren’t on means-tested benefits and aren’t getting any additional help.
‘Above all, we need to provide recipients with meaningful levels of direct help to reduce their energy bills and wider support. The Warm Home Discount is a lifeline for many vulnerable people National Energy Action work with, and it is good that more people will benefit. But the lifeline itself is frayed and far from sturdy.
‘The rebate has only increased by a meagre £10 during a period in which energy bills have gone up by £500 a year and there is no clarity on the programme beyond the end of March next year.
‘This announcement is good news for this winter, but the government needs to come up with a longer-term plan for providing deeper support in future for people who cannot afford a warm and healthy home.’
ENDS
Notes to editors
- National Energy Action (NEA), is the national fuel poverty charity, working across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, to improve the lives of people in fuel poverty. We directly support people with energy and income maximisation advice, and we advocate on issues such as the current energy crisis and the need to improve the energy efficiency of our homes. See: www.nea.org.uk/.