The Prime Minister wrote<\/a>: ‘For too many families, a letter through the door means another bill they struggle to afford.<\/p>\n ‘I know what that\u2019s like. Growing up, our phone was regularly cut off because it was the easiest bill to skip when finances were too stretched.’<\/p>\n Today’s move confirms plans announced in February<\/a> by Energy Secretary Ed Miliband.<\/p>\n It means around 2.7 million more households around the country will receive the cut in their bills this winter, the government said, including 900,000 families with children and 1.8 million households in fuel poverty.<\/p>\n Overall, more than six million households will get the discount later this year, according to the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.<\/p>\n Starmer wrote: ‘But this isn\u2019t just about numbers on a page. It\u2019s about peace of mind.<\/p>\n ‘It\u2019s about knowing you can heat your home without fearing the next bill. And it\u2019s about fairness \u2014 making sure support reaches the people who need it most.’<\/p>\n Miliband added: ‘Millions of families will get vital support with the cost of living this coming winter, demonstrating this government\u2019s commitment to put money in people\u2019s pockets through our Plan for Change.’<\/p>\n The expansion comes shortly after the government U-turned on cuts to the winter fuel payment, which is paid to qualifying pensioners to help pay for heating in cold weather.<\/p>\n Only those receiving Pension Credit got the benefit last winter, sparking sustained and damaging criticism that is thought to have contributed to Labour’s lacklustre performance in May’s local elections.<\/p>\n Earlier this month, Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced it will go<\/a> to all pensioners with an income below \u00a335,000 this year.<\/p>\n Pensioners who meet the qualifying criteria will receive both the warm home discount, worth \u00a3150, and the winter fuel payment, worth up to \u00a3300.<\/p>\n Both are usually applied automatically – the warm home discount is taken off bills by the electricity supplier, while the winter fuel payment is paid directly into bank accounts.<\/p>\n Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk<\/a>.<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n![\"Prime](\"http:\/\/www.vecimasupport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/SEI_255765440-db1f.jpg\")
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