Incoming Prime Minister Andy Burnham has confirmed that one-off £150 payments will be made to households, specifically targeting state pensioners aged over 66. The Labour Party leader, who succeeded Sir Keir Starmer on Friday and is set to enter Number 10 Downing Street on Monday, has made the cost of living a priority for his first days in office.
Warm Home Discount Scheme Details
The payments will be delivered through the Warm Home Discount Scheme, which provides a one-off £150 discount on electricity bills. Eligible households will have the discount applied directly by their electricity supplier; the money is not paid directly to the recipient. Qualification criteria vary depending on location.
Eligibility for England and Wales
In England and Wales, to qualify, individuals must receive the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit or be on a low income. Pension Credit eligibility requires being of state pension age (66 or born before 1960).
Eligibility for Scotland
In Scotland, qualification requires receiving the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit or being on a low income and meeting the energy supplier’s criteria for the scheme.
Pre-Payment Meter Customers Included
Customers using pre-pay or pay-as-you-go electricity meters can still qualify. Their electricity supplier will advise on how to receive the discount, such as through a voucher for topping up the meter.
Participating Suppliers
The following suppliers are part of the scheme: 100Green (formerly Green Energy UK or GEUK), Affect Energy (see Octopus Energy), Boost, British Gas, Bulb Energy (see Octopus Energy), Co-op Energy (see Octopus Energy), E (also known as E (Gas and Electricity)), Ecotricity, E.ON Next, EDF, Fuse Energy, Good Energy, Home Energy, London Power, Octopus Energy, Outfox Energy, OVO, Sainsbury's Energy, Scottish Gas (see British Gas), ScottishPower, Shell Energy Retail, So Energy, Square 1 Energy Ltd, Tomato Energy, TruEnergy, Tulo Energy, Utilita, and Utility Warehouse.
Impact on Households
The measure aims to alleviate financial pressure on older households amid the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. According to reports, Burnham is expected to announce further cost-of-living support in his first days as Prime Minister.
