The consultation, issued on 8 April 2016, sets out government proposals for changes to the scheme for tax year 2016 to 2017 and also seeks views on some aspects of the scheme after 2016/17, including who will receive the rebate in future scheme years.
DECC have also published an accompanying Impact Assessment, which sets out the impact of the changes for 2016/17 and provides an overview of the costs accompanying the scheme.
The deadline for responses is 6 May 2016.
The Executive Summary of the consultation document states:
To download the full consultation document and impact assessment, visit:Should Government obtain wider data sharing powers, this could pave the way for the Warm Home Discount providing all direct energy bill rebates using data matching from 2017/18. Until that time, we are proposing to keep the Core and Broader Group elements of the scheme unchanged for 2016/17. That would mean that all eligible pensioners on Pension Credit Guarantee Credit would continue to receive £140 off their bills. Under the Broader Group, suppliers would continue to provide £140 rebates to eligible low income and vulnerable households who successfully apply.
We are also proposing to continue the Industry Initiatives element of the scheme where we are proposing some changes in 2016/17. Firstly, we are proposing a cap on the total proportion of its spending each supplier can use on debt assistance (last year suppliers spent over 70%). We are also proposing to enable organisations which create innovative schemes to alleviate fuel poverty to bid for industry initiatives funding. This will enable innovation in how the most vulnerable are identified and helped as well as providing a simple way for suppliers to meet their obligations.
In addition, we are proposing to make small operational changes this year which would allow rebates off gas bills and better reflect final spending on rebates for prepayment meter customers. Finally, we are seeking initial views on the future of the Warm Home Discount beyond 2016/17, including on the participation threshold for suppliers.
https://www.gov.uk/government/consultat ... eme-201617