Chancellor John Healey has announced a one-off £100 payment to help with energy bills this winter for around 20 million households across the UK. The measure, revealed in his Budget delivered in the House of Commons, will see the money paid directly into the bank accounts of those who qualify.
Who is eligible for the payment?
The government has confirmed that households in council tax bands A to D could be eligible for the one-off payment. Council tax bands in England are still based on housing values from April 1991.
Speaking in parliament, Mr Healey said: "I know rising energy bills are a real worry and people look to government to give them a bit of breathing space. So this winter for 20 million households in council tax bands A to D, I am announcing a £100 energy payment for households."
A £2.6 billion scheme
He added: "That's a £2.6 billion scheme to take the pressure off in the coldest months and see people through to the spring."
The payment was part of his first Budget since being appointed by Andy Burnham this summer. As Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr Healey is responsible for controlling the UK's economy and distribution of funds. The money will be paid directly into bank accounts of those who qualify this winter.
