Government plans to consult formally later in 2018 on proposals for a WHD scheme from 2019/20 onwards, utilising wider data matching and improving the targeting of the scheme. Until then, BEIS are proposing to maintain stability while making some smaller scheme improvements for 2018/19. This includes proposing changes to the Broader Group by updating the standard eligibility criteria to include Universal Credit recipients in work and to reflect welfare changes.
BEIS is also proposing more significant changes to Industry Initiatives. The consultation document says "We are proposing to increase the spending cap on industry initiatives from £30m to £40m; (to continue to reduce the cap on the spending allowed on debt write-off from £12m to £10m (or 25% of the increased cap) and to continue to reduce it in future years; and to expand the list of activities allowed under Industry Initiatives to include the provision of financial assistance with energy bills for households that are particularly at risk of fuel poverty up to £5m overall."
Finally, BEIS are proposing that households identified by local authorities under the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) flexible eligibility will automatically qualify as being “wholly or mainly in fuel poverty” and therefore eligible for support under
industry initiatives.
For more information, see:
https://www.gov.uk/government/consultat ... 18-to-2019
The deadline to respond is 11:45pm on 29 April 2018.Statistics:Posted by ALEO Admin — Tue Apr 03, 2018 3:13 pm
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