In his latest column:

This week, theMinister for Climate Change and Corporate Responsibility, Lord Callanan, wrote to all Members of Parliament (MPs) to set out details of the Government Responses to the consultations on expanding the Warm Home Discount and the Energy Company Obligation schemes until 2025/6.

This expansion to these two vital policies for supporting fuel poorhouseholds is excellent news, particularly at a time of high energy prices, as it will allow the continuation of support via a combination of shorter-term direct financial support with the costs of heating and longer-term energy efficiency measures to reduce household energy bills for the long term.

The Government has also announced a package of support worth £9.1 billion in 2022/23 to help households with rising energy bills. This includes measures such as the provision of £200 to all domestic electricity bill payers (which will be recouped through energy bills over five years from 2023), a £150 non-repayable reduction in Council Tax bills for all households in Council Tax bands A-D across England, £144 million of discretionary funding for Local Authorities to support households which need support but are not eligible for the Council Tax reduction and the doubling of the Household Support Fund to £1 billion – which is to be delivered through local authorities providing help to those who need it most.

Details of the assistance available can be found online: https://www.gov.uk/improve-energy-efficiency and useful guidance can also be found on the Citizens Advice website:

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/energy/energy-supply/get-help-paying-your-bills/grants-and-benefits-to-help-you-pay-your-energy-bills/

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you require any assistance or further information: www.jacobreesmogg.com / [email protected]