Andy Burnham's government will hand millions an automatic £150 Warm Home Discount this winter if they are in the qualifying groups. Despite Mr Burnham coming in to replace Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer, the government has already confirmed the Warm Home Discount will remain for the remainder of this Parliament.
Who Qualifies for the Payment?
Qualifying benefits include the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit, Housing Benefit, income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA), Income Support, the 'Savings Credit' part of Pension Credit and Universal Credit. Eligible households will receive the £150 Warm Home Discount every winter until 2030/2031.
Extension of the Scheme
Announcing the move earlier this year, the government – then under Sir Keir's leadership – said: "Families across Britain to benefit, with major reform to ensure more Scottish consumers get what they are entitled to automatically." The government has added 2.7 million families to the scheme, bringing the total number of eligible households to around 6 million.
Hundreds of thousands of Scottish billpayers will also benefit from reforms to the way the Warm Home Discount is administered, with around 345,000 families in Scotland set to receive the £150 rebate automatically next winter – an increase of around 250,000.
Government Statements
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: "Tackling the affordability crisis is the government's number one priority. That is why we are today confirming to millions of eligible families across the country that they will receive the £150 Warm Home Discount every winter for the rest of the decade. That will give families much-needed peace of mind that they will continue to receive vital support in the cold winter months, as we take action to bring down bills for good."
The government press release added: "96% of Warm Home Discount recipients in England and Wales will receive the rebate automatically this winter (2025/2026). However, a small number will need to phone the helpline number, which is included in letters sent to their home addresses, to ensure their call is handled most efficiently by 27 February."
