Rushcliffe MP James Naish has welcomed the government’s expansion of the Warm Home Discount which will see around 160,000 extra households in the East Midlands receive £150 off their energy bills this winter.
Letters confirming eligibility have already started arriving across the region, as the support is extended to all billpayers on a means-tested benefit. Nationally, nearly 2.7 million additional households will now qualify, taking the total to an estimated 6.1 million families.
James Naish MP said: “We all know that day-to-day cost pressures remain high despite wage growth recently being higher than inflation. We also know that high energy costs don’t impact only one part of society.
“I’m, therefore, pleased that the government is taking steps to support lower-income households who pay a disproportionately large part of their income on energy. The expanded Warm Homes Discount will provide essential support to families in our area this winter.”
Around one in five households will now be eligible for the Warm Homes Discount; and at the recent Spending Review, the government announced £13.2 billion will be spent on its Warm Homes Plan which aims to make homes more energy-efficient and cheaper for people to heat.
The announcement follows a series of earlier measures including an increase in the National Minimum Wage, now delivering £1,400 more per year for low-income workers; an inflation-linked state pension increase in April; and a revised Winter Fuel Payment available to all pensioners earning £35,000 or less which will benefit 9 million pensioners.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: “Letters will be dropping on doormats across the country, containing welcome news for hundreds of thousands of families. This government is determined to tackle energy affordability for families, and this winter more people will be helped as a result.
“I would urge anyone who doesn’t automatically qualify for the discount to get in touch with their supplier, so they get the money they are entitled to.”
James concluded: “Most people accept that there is a lot for the government to do and changes won’t happen overnight. But this winter, thousands of families across Nottinghamshire will feel the difference which is positive. I want everybody to feel better off, more secure and to be able to look to the future with confidence.”
