Over 27 million households across Great Britain received money off their energy bills last month as the Energy Bills Support Scheme (EBSS) provided £1.8 billion in payments.
New figures show the EBSS provided a £66 discount for 97 per cent of eligible households in England, Scotland and Wales in its first month.
This is the first payment made through the EBSS since it launched in October and will see households receive a £400 discount on energy bills paid in 6 monthly instalments. The second instalment of the EBSS will reduce households’ November energy bills which brings the total amount spent on the scheme so far to £3.8 billion.
Harrogate and Knaresborough MP, Andrew Jones, said “I welcome Government support to help households with rising energy costs and I am pleased to see the rollout of the Energy Bill Support Scheme has been a success.
“I encourage anyone who believes they have not received the support to contact their energy supplier.
“I will continue to speak with colleagues at the Treasury to make sure that all households, including park home residents, receive the same level of support.”
Vouchers were sent to all 2 million customers with traditional pre-payment meters. The Government has urged consumers to redeem vouchers as soon as possible after figures showed only around two thirds had already done so. Suppliers will tell customers where to redeem them for example at a Post Office branch or a PayPoint shop. Payzone outlets are unable to accept the vouchers.
From December onwards the amount discounted from energy bills will increase to £67 as the scheme continues to provide support to households over the winter months.
Administered by energy suppliers the scheme is designed so customers receive the rebate in the same way that they pay their energy bills such as via direct debit, credit, smart meters and traditional prepayment meters.
The Government has introduced new powers that mean intermediaries, such as landlords, must pass on savings made under the EBSS and other energy support schemes to end users, who don’t pay their energy bills directly, for example tenants.
Those on traditional prepayment meters are sent monthly vouchers by their supplier via text, email or post with suppliers having contacted customers in advance of the scheme launching to advise how the discount will be applied.
Vouchers expire after 90 days to ensure it helps people over the winter months but can be reissued by the supplier on request. Suppliers must make several attempts to contact customers who have not redeemed their vouchers. The scheme also allows for consumers to transfer EBSS payments from electricity meters to gas meters. All vouchers must be redeemed by 30 June 2023.
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