Warm Home Discount 2023 updates — How to apply for £150 DWP energy bill help as inflation rate revealed
ELIGIBLE Brits started receiving £150 in bill help this week as part of the Warm Home Discount.
Customers should keep an eye out for emails and letters in the post confirming their eligibility in the coming weeks, with payments beginning yesterday.
Eligible customers will not need to apply, simply claiming benefits such as Income Support, Housing Benefit or Universal Credit will see the discount applied to your bills.
You might not be considered eligible for the Warm Home Discount if you live in a more energy-efficient property, even if you receive a qualifying benefit.
It comes as the UK's rate of inflation remained at 6.7% in September.
Follow our Warm Home Discount live blog below for latest news and updates...
Wages on the rise
Millions of workers across the UK have seen their wages rise and for the first time in two years, they have outstripped inflation.
Figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed that regular pay, excluding bonuses, rose by a near record 7.8% in the three months to August 2023.
Taking into account inflation, wages have increased by 0.7%.
The exact temperature your heating should be set on
The surge in energy prices can leave households struggling to make ends meet as days get colder and we turn our heating on.
Managing director of , James Longley, shared the exact temperature that the heating should be on so you keep bills low.
He said: “Studies have suggested that the ideal temperature to heat your home is between 18 and 21 degrees Celsius during the colder months, whilst the World Health Organization has also recommended heating the home at around 18 degrees to maintain good health and a positive sleep routine.
“However, for the young, old or those who are unwell, 20 degrees is considered to be more appropriate.”
How to keep warm this winter
In a helpful posted to YouTube by , the content creator shared one way to keep your feet warm.
“Before you go out, you can warm your shoes up with a hairdryer”, he explained.
Other useful reminders included wearing two pairs of socks, investing in some thicker thermal brands.
“And if you do struggle with cold feet, you can get thermal inner soles which are perfect for lining your shoes”, Dave added.
He also suggested staying active to keep your body temperature up.
“This will keep you warmer even after your work out session has finished,” continued the hack master.
Warning over scammers acting as police officers
Which? issued a warning about scammers acting as police officer to try and steal money and personal details.
Earlier this year, police forces already reported a number of incidents as victims were told that either a fraud case was being investigated, that a relative of theirs was in custody or that someone had their bank card and ID.
If you receive any calls from people asking for personal and financial information, you should be wary that they might be scammers as police officers would never make calls to ask such questions.
Martin Lewis’ MSE reveals tip that could save you cash on energy bills
Martin Lewis' Money Savings Expert has revealed a cheap hack that could save you cash on your bills.
Martin's team shared the useful tip on his MSE - and it could reduce your home heat loss by a whopping 75 per cent.
Free debt advice
If you’re in debt there are plenty of services you can take advantage of and they offer free advice on how to manage debt.
Most of them can offer you free guidance and help in person, over the telephone or online.
- – 0800 138 7777
- – 0808 800 9060
- – 0800 138 1111
- – 0808 808 4000
How to get £200 by switching bank accounts
You could get up to £200 in free cash just by switching to a new bank account.
Nationwide is paying new customers £200 to switch current accounts and the cash should be paid out before Christmas.
To get the bonus, go on Nationwide’s website, or use its app, switch from a non-Nationwide current account to a account and have two direct debits set up.
The cash will be paid within ten days.
If you have money in your account, you’ll get a 5% interest rate for the first 12 months on balances up to a maximum of £1,500 too.
When is the Autumn Statement?
Jeremy Hunt will set out his Autumn Statement on November 22.
In the annual update, the Chancellor Jeremy Hunt will reveal the government’s plans for the economy, including how tax will be used and plans for spending.
The Prime Minister and Chancellor have spent recent months promising to halve inflation amid a series of interest rater rises.
Mr Hunt has also faced pressure from some Tory MPs for tax cuts ahead of the next general election, expected before January 2025.
Thousands of drivers avoiding ULEZ fines
Transport for London revealed that more than 400,000 motorists have avoided the much-hated ULEZ penalties as their details can’t be found on the database.
Motorists also swerved 114,274 congestion charge penalties for the same reason.
A DVLA spokesperson said: “Vehicle keepers have a legal responsibility to inform DVLA of any changes to their personal or vehicle details.”
The £26 Amazon product which is stopping people from turning on their central heating
Winter is coming and that means that we have to start worrying about the heating and energy bills again.
But customers have found this £26 5-star Amazon product which is stopping them from even turning on their central heating.
Read all about it below.
Cold and flu medicines prices soar
It’s been reported that medicines such as cough syrups, flu sachets and decongestants had a major price hike since September 2021.
These include Lemsip’s oral solution which increased to £8 from £4 at Morrisons while Superdrug increased the price of Bronchostop Junior cough syrup to £7.39 from £3.99.
Those shopping at Asda and Morrisons may have also noticed that Lemsip’s dissolvable cold and flu sachets had their price raised by £2 to £5.50 in the last two years.
Meanwhile, from an initial price of £3.50, tubs of Vicks VapoRub are now being sold for £6 at Asda, Morrisons and Sainsbury’s and for £6.30 at Waitrose.
Which? suggests that consumers go do their shopping at the full-sized shops of Sainsbury’s and Tesco rather than the local stores near their houses.
It comes as shops such as Sainsbury’s Local and Tesco Express are often 50p or £1 more expensive.
Warning over scammers acting as police officers
Which? issued a warning about scammers acting as police officer to try and steal money and personal details.
Earlier this year, police forces already reported a number of incidents as victims were told that either a fraud case was being investigated, that a relative of theirs was in custody or that someone had their bank card and ID.
If you receive any calls from people asking for personal and financial information, you should be wary that they might be scammers as police officers would never make calls to ask such questions.
Thousands of drivers avoiding ULEZ fines
Transport for London revealed that more than 400,000 motorists have avoided the much-hated ULEZ penalties as their details can’t be found on the database.
Motorists also swerved 114,274 congestion charge penalties for the same reason.
A DVLA spokesperson said: “Vehicle keepers have a legal responsibility to inform DVLA of any changes to their personal or vehicle details.”
Parents are struggling to take their kids out of their local area
Research shows that seven in 10 parents can’t afford to take their kids out on trips outside their local areas amid the cost of living crisis.
The research commissioned by PGL revealed that 53% of 715 city-based parents with children aged five to 16, are worried their kid’s development if they don’t get to see other places.
Read all about what the research showed below.
Everyday essential food prices soar by 145% over the year
Which? reports that everyday essential food including porridge oats, meat and yoghurt had a price increase by up to 145% over a year.
The consumer organisation focused on healthy food products which can be bought from eight supermarkets – Aldi, Asda, Lidl, Morrisons, Ocado, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Waitrose.
The study showed that Tesco Porridge Oats 1.5kg had the worst increase as it more than doubled in price.
In the three months ending September 2022, this product cost £1.23 on average while in 2023, during the same period, the product costs 33 on average.
Which? raised concerns over how consumers may find it harder to eat healthy with increased prices and limited access to budget-friendly brands.
Credit: Getty
Is it cheaper to keep heating on low all day or to turn it on when needed?
Martin Lewis’ MoneySavingExpert.com revealed that leaving the heating on low all day is cheaper is simply a myth and it’ll save you more if you turn it on when needed.
The MSE Team said: “Having the heating on only when you need it is, in the long run, the best way to save energy, and therefore money, according to Energy Saving Trust.
“A timer’s best, as your thermostat turns your heating on and off to keep your home at the temperature you set. It’s all about the total amount of energy required to heat your home.
“A certain amount of energy is constantly leaking out of the building (how much will depend on how good your insulation is). The Energy Saving Trust says if you’re keeping the heating on all day, you’re losing energy all day, so it’s better to heat your home only when you need it.”
Which benefits are eligible for the Warm Home Discount?
To be eligible for the Warm Home Discount you need to claim either the guaranteed credit element of Pension Credit or a different qualifying means-tested benefit, including:
- Income support
- Income based jobseeker’s allowance
- Income related employment and support allowance
- Housing benefit
- Universal Credit
- Child tax credit
- Working tax credits
- Pension Credit savings credit
You had to be claiming these benefits on or before August 13, 2023, or else you’re not eligible for the payment.
If you live in England or Wales, the government will send you a letter notifying you that you’re eligible for the payment which you’ll earn six weeks after receiving the notification or by the end of December.
If you live in Scotland, you need to apply.
Supermarkets offering meal and drink discounts
According to the “UK’s consumer champion” Which?, supermarkets across the country are offering discounts on meals and drinks to help struggling households cope with the cost of living crisis.
Which? reports the following discounts:
- Asda offers soup and a bread roll for £1 to over 60s.
- Morrisons lets “kids eat free” with every adult meal purchased over £4.49.
- Sainsbury’s is offering kids meals for £1 during school term time with any purchase of an adult hot main meal which costs £5.20.
- Get a free drink with Waitrose if you’re on their loyalty scheme and remember to take your own cup to avoid being charged for a reusable one. You need to make a purchase with no minimum spend and then get a free hot drink.
- Link your MyWaitrose account to that of Caffe Nero’s to get 25% off the cafeteria’s seasonal menus, free drinks and other offers throughout the month.
Get this energy-saving heating gadget which costs just 1p an hour to run
Farmfoods are selling a heated blanket which costs only 1p an hour to run.
Shoppers have been going crazy on social media over the Daewoo Single Heated Blanket which only costs £14.99.
The double version comes at a price of £19.99.
Reviewers said that the electric blanket “works perfectly” and has “really good quality.”
Seven hacks to winter-proof your home
The temperatures started to drop and that means that we have to deal with the headache of costly energy bills caused by heating our homes to keep ourselves warm.
However, there are a few hacks which you may take to make your home as winter-proof as possible and avoid having to turn on your radiator for more than you need to.
Read about the seven hacks we found to winter-proof your home below.
The exact temperature your heating should be set on
The surge in energy prices can leave households struggling to make ends meet as days get colder and we turn our heating on.
Managing director of , James Longley, shared the exact temperature that the heating should be on so you keep bills low.
He said: “Studies have suggested that the ideal temperature to heat your home is between 18 and 21 degrees Celsius during the colder months, whilst the World Health Organization has also recommended heating the home at around 18 degrees to maintain good health and a positive sleep routine.
“However, for the young, old or those who are unwell, 20 degrees is considered to be more appropriate.”
Shoppers in frenzy for £20 electric blanket that costs 2p an hour to run
The self-proclaimed Duchess of Thrift told her TikTok followers all about her £20 single electric blanket from Tesco.
She explained how the double blanket costs £30 but the money’s worth it because she admitted how she’ll save “this money in droves in heating.”
One person asked her to break down the cost of the blanket to run and she revealed how she uses the energy calculator at to work out how much running a certain device costs her.
Based on the October Price Cap electricity rate, running the blanket for an hour will cost 2p.
How to save money on energy bills by making these changes to your TV
Televisions can be quite costly to run, however, Ben Gallizzi from Uswitch gave The Sun some good tips on how you can cut your energy bills and usage by half if you make these five changes to your TV settings.
The first obvious tip is to switch off your TV fully and don’t leave it on standby.
Some TVs also have energy-saving mode – which would dim the brightness and backlight – and Ben fully recommends turning this on.
If your TV doesn’t have one, you can always turn down the brightness yourself and that way you’d be helping your eye sight too.
You can save some cash by unplugging the TV while you’re not using it.
Finally, choose wisely when buying a new TV – so the smaller your TV screen, the less energy it will use and keep an eye out for an Energy Saving Trust’s recommended label.
Wages on the rise
Millions of workers across the UK have seen their wages rise and for the first time in two years, they have outstripped inflation.
Figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed that regular pay, excluding bonuses, rose by a near record 7.8% in the three months to August 2023.
Taking into account inflation, wages have increased by 0.7%.
British Gas makes changes to payment method
The Sun revealed this morning that the energy provider has made another “perverse” change to the way customers pay their bills, weeks after giro slips were ditched.
British Gas has removed its bank account and sort code from the bottom of customer bills, which made thousands think that they can’t settle their bills via bank transfer.
Martyn James, consumer rights expert, said: “Given the huge pressures facing people during the cost-of-living crisis, the decision to make it more difficult to pay an energy bill in person or direct to a bank is both perverse and deeply unfair.
“I can’t think of any good reason why energy firms would take this course of action other than to make it much harder for people to maintain control over their own abilities to pay their bills.”
