An additional 2.7 million households will receive energy bill discounts of £150 next winter to aid with fuel costs, expanding the reach of the warm home discount to over 6 million homes, as confirmed by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ).

Following the results of a consultation, DESNZ has reviewed its policies and lifted some major eligibility restrictions, meaning that every bill payer receiving means-tested benefits is now entitled to support. With these latest revisions, the payment will benefit around 900,000 families with children and 1.8 million living in fuel poverty.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer empathised with families’ financial difficulties in a statement after the announcement: “I know families are still struggling with the cost of living, and I know the fear that comes with not being able to afford your next bill.

“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.”

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

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband reinforced the action’s significance: “Millions of families will get vital support with the cost of living this coming winter, demonstrating this government’s commitment to put money in people’s pockets through our Plan for Change.”

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

Andrew Bowie, the acting shadow energy secretary, has slammed Labour’s broken promise on energy bills, stating: “Labour promised to cut everyone’s energy bills by £300 but they have increased by £280 and are forecast to keep going up.”

He further criticised the current approach, saying: “Energy bills need to come down but this announcement will cut bills for just a quarter of households whilst increasing them for everyone else.”

Bowie, alongside Kemi Badenoch, has been vocal about their stance on net zero targets, asserting: “Kemi Badenoch and I have been clear that net zero by 2050 is impossible without bankrupting Britain and making hard-working families worse off.”