A new online petition is calling on the UK Government to reintroduce the £400 Energy Bills Support Scheme for winter 2023/24 to help households through the colder months during the ongoing cost of living crisis. Some 28 million households received a £66/£67 monthly discount on their energy bills between October and March, under the scheme.
However, while the UK Government has extended its £2,500 Energy Price Guarantee until the end of June and energy prices are forecast to fall from July, petition creator, William Conway, believes that many households will still face a choice between heating and eating this winter.
The ‘Reintroduce the Energy Bills Support Scheme for winter 2023/24 ’ petition has been posted on the official petitions-parliament website and states: “Although energy prices are decreasing, they still remain well above normal levels. I believe the best course of action the UK Government can take is to reintroduce the Energy Bills Support Scheme for winter 2023/24 which was a massive help for households earlier this year.”
It continues: “Many households are feeling the pinch during the cost of living crisis and reintroducing this scheme will benefit every household.
“It's important that no household should be unable to afford energy for heating or cooking but without this scheme being in place for winter 2023/24 I believe this will be the case.
“I strongly believe the best way of funding this important scheme would be another windfall tax on the profits of energy companies.”
At 10,000 signatures, the UK Government will respond to the proposals of the petition and at 100,000 it would be considered for debate in Parliament. It will be open until November 9, 2023 - you can read it here.
The Department for Energy Security & Net Zero recently responded to another of Mr Conway’s petitions where he calls on the UK Government to introduce an unmetered monthly tariff for energy for the elderly and disabled.
That petition closed with over 13,300 signatures of support.
The official response said: “The Government is considering potential approaches to consumer energy protection post-April 2024. The Government intends to consult on options in summer 2023.”
You can read the full response on the petitions-parliament website here.
To keep up to date with the latest cost of living news, join our Money Saving Scotland Facebook page here, follow us on Twitter @Record_Money, or subscribe to our newsletter which goes out Monday to Friday - sign up here.
READ NEXT
- Millions of people on a low income urged to check for social tariff broadband package
DWP says ‘small number’ of outstanding £301 cost of living payments still to be made
Petition calling for new monthly energy tariff for pensioner and disabled households due response
New inquiry launches into cost of living payments to determine if support fair for everyone
New cost of living payment warning to 8m people who received any money last year
