The Government's council tax checker website has crashed after Chancellor John Healey announced a £100 energy bill discount for millions of households in today's Budget.
People trying to use the official checker have been met with a screen saying there is "a problem with the service". The site froze as Brits flocked to it following the announcement.
£100 Energy Payment for 20 Million Households
Around 20 million households will get £100 from the Government this winter to help with energy bills. The Chancellor said households in council tax bands A to D will receive the payments directly into their bank accounts, with the support costing £2.6 billion.
Mr Healey said money would be given to devolved administrations and called on them to "do the same and give people of all nations in the UK breathing space on their energy bills this winter".
Chancellor's Budget Speech
Speaking during his Budget speech, Mr Healey said: "Let me say this to families at home. I know that with the conflict in the Middle East, rising energy bills are a real worry. I know that people look to Government at times like this, not to solve all their problems, but to give them a bit of breathing space.
"So today I'm taking one further step. This winter, for 20 million households in council tax bands A to D, I am announcing a £100 energy payment for households, paid directly into people's bank accounts to deal with rising energy bills.
"That's a £2.6 billion scheme to take the pressure off in the coldest months and see people though to the spring."
This is a breaking news story and further details are expected to follow.
