The government consultation on continuing the Warm Home Discount concluded in January 2026, according to Ofgem. Changes to the scheme have been made in response, taking effect from April 2026 onwards1.
The Warm Home Discount is a fuel poverty reduction scheme that has reduced the energy costs of low-income and vulnerable households across Great Britain since its inception in 2011. It primarily provides support through £150 energy bill rebates, funded through a levy on all domestic gas and electricity customers1. The scheme covers England, Scotland and Wales and will run until 31 March 2031. It does not run in Northern Ireland, where an Affordable Warmth Scheme is available1.
All domestic energy suppliers with over 1,000 customers are required to provide an annual bill discount, also known as a rebate, to eligible households. Some smaller suppliers that are not obligated under the scheme may choose to participate voluntarily, and these suppliers only contribute towards the core groups1. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero is responsible for the scheme's policy and legislation and administers the core groups in England and Wales, and Scotland. The Broader Group is delivered by each scheme supplier in Scotland on an individual application basis. Ofgem's role is to administer the industry initiatives and facilitate suppliers' compliance with the scheme1.
The scheme runs in annual scheme years, with Scheme Year 16 beginning in 2026. In England and Wales, scheme year 16 runs from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027. In Scotland, scheme year 16 runs from 1 May 2026 until 31 March 2027. Scheme years 17, 18, 19 and 20 will each run from 1 April to 31 March of the following year for England, Wales and Scotland1.
Eligibility groups are applied differently across Great Britain. In England and Wales, the core group and industry initiatives apply to the scheme. In Scotland, the core group, industry initiatives and broader group apply1.
| Nation | Scheme year 16 dates | Groups applied |
|---|---|---|
| England and Wales | 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027 | Core group and industry initiatives |
| Scotland | 1 May 2026 to 31 March 2027 | Core group, industry initiatives and broader group |
| Northern Ireland | Scheme does not run | Affordable Warmth Scheme available |
"A government consultation on continuing the Warm Home Discount concluded in January 2026."
Why it matters for households
The Warm Home Discount delivers a £150 rebate on energy bills to eligible low-income and vulnerable households, funded by a levy on all domestic gas and electricity customers. For a household that receives it, the rebate reduces the annual cost of keeping the home warm, which bears directly on how far a home's energy costs can be controlled. Because the money comes from a levy on every domestic customer, the cost of the scheme is spread across all billpayers, including those who do not receive a rebate1.
The scheme's continuation to 31 March 2031 gives a defined period for which the rebate is expected to be available, and the confirmed scheme year dates set out when rebates apply in each nation. The separate treatment of Scotland, where the Broader Group operates on an individual application basis, means the route to support differs by nation1. The consultation outcome and the changes made in response from April 2026 onwards are not detailed in the published material beyond the confirmation that changes have been made1.
What happens next
Scheme Year 16 begins in 2026, with England and Wales running from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027 and Scotland from 1 May 2026 to 31 March 2027. Scheme years 17 to 20 will each run from 1 April to 31 March of the following year across England, Wales and Scotland1.
Sources1 cited
- Warm Home Discount (WHD) | Ofgem, ofgem.gov.uk