Thousands across the North East to have £150 knocked off their energy bills this year

The Warm Homes Discount expansion is set to benefit millions across the country, as the removal of some restrictions on eligibility means every bill payer on means-tested benefits will qualify.

The move comes as the government says it wants to “ease the cost of living for working families” and impact 1.8 million households in fuel poverty.

Rachel Reeves in the North East on Monday, June 16. (Image: Kirsty O’Connor / Treasury) Chancellor Rachel Reeves told The Northern Echo: “An additional 100,000 families in the North East will get this, and they will get it automatically this winter.

“We’re expanding the coverage – almost doubling it meaning that people on means tested benefits including universal credit will get it automatically.”

Prime Minister Keir Starmer added: “I know families across the North East are still struggling with the cost of living, and I know the fear that comes with not being able to afford your next bill.  

 “Providing security and peace of mind for working people is deeply personal to me as Prime Minister and foundational for the Plan for Change.

“I have no doubt that, like rolling out free school meals, breakfast clubs and childcare support, extending this £150 energy bills support to millions more families will make a real difference.”

This latest announcement comes just a few months after it was revealed that five thousand more children in the region are in relative poverty here than a year ago.

In total, 31 per cent per cent of all babies, children and young people in the region are growing up in deprivation.

Last June, Ms Reeves pledged to readers of The Northern Echo that reducing child poverty is “in Labour’s DNA” and “will be central to the next Labour Government”, as she backed our election manifesto calling for a commitment on lifting youngsters here out of deprivation.

Now, when asked how she will eliminate child poverty in the region, Ms Reeves said the government are continuing to tackle it.

“I know that this is a priority for Kim McGuinness in the North East. It’s why we’re doing things like rolling out free breakfast clubs at primary schools,” she said.

“From next September, children of parents on universal credit will get free school meals and that will lift 100,000 children out of poverty.

“We are tackling these issues, and we absolutely get them. This is just one of a number of things we are doing, trying to put money in people’s pockets, particularly those on the lowest incomes.”