The Warm Home Discount (England and Wales) Regulations 2022 were made on 6 July 2022 and came into force on 7 July 2022, continuing the scheme for reducing fuel poverty in England and Wales until 31 March 20261. The instrument, numbered 2022 No. 772, was made by the Secretary of State under sections 9, 10, 14 and 31(5) and (6) of the Energy Act 2010, with the consent of the Treasury1.
The regulations continue the scheme established by the Warm Home Discount Regulations 2011, which they describe as "the scheme for reducing fuel poverty established by the 2011 Regulations"1. The continued scheme is to be known as the Warm Home Discount (England and Wales) Scheme and has effect for the period beginning with the commencement day and ending with 31 March 2026, described in the regulations as "the scheme period"1.
The prescribed rebate under the scheme is £150, other than in regulation 181. The regulations set out the scheme years: scheme year 12 runs from the commencement day to 31 March 2023, and scheme years 13 to 15 are each a period of 12 months beginning with 1 April in 2023, 2024 and 2025 respectively1. Suppliers must provide the prescribed rebate to core group customers specified in a rebate notice by 31 March in that scheme year, or before the end of the period of 30 days beginning with the day on which the notice is received1. The rebate may be provided by crediting the customer's electricity account so that the amount charged, including VAT, is reduced by the amount of the prescribed rebate1.
Eligibility for the core group turns on receipt of guarantee credit or meeting the criteria in the relevant eligibility statement1. The regulations also address customers who are temporarily absent: where an individual is staying in hospital, they are treated as continuing to occupy the premises if the stay has not exceeded 52 weeks from the date of admission, and residence in a care home or hospice is treated as continuing occupation where it is temporary1.
"These Regulations make provision for the continuation, in England and Wales, of the scheme for reducing fuel poverty established by the 2011 Regulations (“ the Scheme ”)."
The regulations also set notification duties. A relevant supplier must notify the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority of its number of GB domestic customers on the preceding 31 December by the 21st day after the commencement day, and by 1 February in 2023, 2024 and 20251. For scheme years 13, 14 and 15, a related deadline falls by 14 February preceding the start of the scheme year1. The regulations define an "E&W domestic customer" as an owner or occupier of domestic premises in England or Wales supplied with electricity or gas wholly or mainly for domestic purposes, and a "GB domestic customer" as the equivalent across England, Wales and Scotland1.
Why it matters for households
The Warm Home Discount is a rebate applied to a household's electricity account rather than a payment made directly, so for eligible homes it reduces the amount charged for the year's supply. The regulations fix the rebate at £150 and set the scheme period to 31 March 2026, which gives households and the suppliers that administer the scheme a defined window1. Eligibility for the core group rests on receipt of guarantee credit or on meeting the criteria in the relevant eligibility statement, so the route into the scheme is defined by benefit receipt and published criteria rather than by application alone1. The provisions on hospital stays and care home or hospice residence mean that a temporary absence does not by itself remove a household from the scheme, provided the stated time limits are met1. The wider grants and schemes landscape includes other support, but this instrument concerns the Warm Home Discount only.
What happens next
The scheme period runs to 31 March 20261. The regulations have been amended since they were made: words in regulation 4(3)(a) were substituted, and regulation 4(3)(ba) inserted, on 18 September 2025 by the Warm Home Discount (Amendment) Regulations 2025 (S.I. 2025/1031)1. Notification deadlines for suppliers fall on 1 February in 2023, 2024 and 2025, and by 14 February preceding the start of scheme years 13, 14 and 151.
Sources1 cited
- The Warm Home Discount (England and Wales) Regulations 2022, legislation.gov.uk