Documents to download

This briefing provides information on support schemes introduced by the Government before 2022,  and practical steps constituents can take to reduce their bills and sources of further advice.

For information on the new energy bill support schemes introduced during 2022, see the Library briefing Constituency casework: Government support for energy bills, which covers following schemes:

  • Energy Bills Support Scheme (EBSS), including the EBSS Alternative Fund: a one-off £400 payment to households to help with bills over winter 2022-23
  • Energy Price Guarantee (EPG): a cap on domestic electricity and gas prices over the period 1 October 2022 to 31 March 2024
  • Energy Bill Relief Scheme (EBRS): a discount on non-domestic electricity and gas prices over the period 1 October 2022 to 31 March 2023
  • Pass-through requirements for the EBSS, EPG and EBRS, including specific pass-through requirements for heat networks: these require third party intermediaries to pass on benefits to end users
  • Alternative Fuel Payments, including the Alternative Fuel Payments Alternative Fund: a one-off payment for households (£200) and non-domestic customers (at least £150) who are not on the mains gas grid and use an alternative fuel (such as heating oil) for heating.

For updated information on support to install energy efficiency and renewable energy measures, see the Library briefing Help with energy efficiency, heating and renewable energy in homes.

We will update this briefing in due course.

This Commons Library Briefing paper sets out sources of financial and practical help for constituents with domestic energy bills. It also outlines current policy developments.  

There are now a range of measures aimed at helping consumers with their energy bills including:

  • Taxpayer-funded payments principally the Winter Fuel Payment and the Cold Weather Payment.
  • Obligations on energy suppliers that are funded by all energy bill payers, principally to help eligible customers with energy efficiency measures (Energy Company Obligation) and discounts on electricity bills (Warm Home Discount).
  • Practical measures such as switching energy suppliers, joining the Priority Service Register and making use of communal energy buying schemes.
  • Sources of information and advice, for example, in the event of disputes with energy suppliers.

At a practical level, the paper focuses on schemes that individuals can access, rather than those aimed at local authorities or housing associations.

There are related Library notes on Energy Prices, and Energy Bills and the price cap

Documents to download

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