Warm Home Discount Scheme 2018 to 2019
Read the full outcome
Detail of outcome
The government response provides a summary of the responses received from the recent consultation. Responses were broadly supportive with the government’s proposals. It also outlines the changes to be introduced to the scheme for 2018 to 2019 and until 2020 to 2021, the main ones being:
- the threshold for energy suppliers’ participation in the scheme will remain at 250,000 domestic customer accounts for winter 2018 to 2019, but will reduce in future years to 200,000 in 2019 to 2020 and 150,000 in 2020 to 2021
- the level of spending permitted under Industry Initiatives will increase from £30 million to £40 million per year
- a new activity will be allowed under industry initiatives involving financial assistance on energy bills to households at particular risk of fuel poverty
- the cap on spending for debt write-off will continue to decrease
- there will be minimal changes to broader group eligibility for winter 2018 to 2019
- a requirement on electricity suppliers to place a statement on their website and inform their former Core Group customers if they who are no longer participating in the scheme
Other administrative changes are outlined in more detail in the document.
The draft Warm Home Discount (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2018 cover the scheme until 2020/21. A consolidated version of the Warm Home Discount Regulations 2011 was produced for information purposes only. It reflects the amendments made by the:
- Warm Home Discount (Amendment) Regulations 2014 (S.I. 2014/695)
- Warm Home Discount (Miscellaneous Amendments) 2015 (S.I. 2015/652)
- Warm Home Discount (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/806)
- Draft Warm Home Discount (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2018
The individual Regulations mentioned are available on legislation.gov.uk
The impact assessment sets out the impact of the changes for 2018 to 2019 and provides an overview of the costs accompanying the scheme.
Detail of feedback received
We received 60 responses to the consultation from a range of stakeholders, including:
- representatives of local authorities
- third sector organisations
- energy suppliers
- industry bodies
- individuals
There was general support for the government’s proposals.
Original consultation
Consultation description
This consultation proposes a number of changes to the Warm Home Discount Scheme for winter 2018 to 2019. Under these proposals the scheme would continue to provide direct energy bill rebate of £140 to over 2 million low income and vulnerable households.
We are also proposing issuing regulations which would cover the scheme until 2020 to 2021. This would not prevent a reform of the scheme eligibility in future years.
The consultation is aimed at all those with an interest in fuel poverty policies, especially those interested in the Warm Home Discount. In particular we’re seeking views from affected individuals, energy suppliers, fuel poverty and consumer organisations.
Documents
Updates to this page
Last updated 15 June 2018 + show all updates
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Government response published.
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First published.