Due to changes to the scheme's eligibility criteria, an extra 70,000 vulnerable people will also be able to apply for the rebate.
The original WHD scheme was due to finish in 2015, so the Government need to implement new regulations to extend the scheme, which it hopes to do before the end of March 2015.
The key results of the consultation are as follows:
- Retain the eligibility criteria of the Core Group to those in receipt of Pension Credit Guarantee Credit or Pension Credit Guarantee Credit (with Savings Credit) for the extension of the WHD to 2015/16.
- Keep the value of the rebate at £140 for 2015/16.
- Introduce compulsory standard criteria for the Broader Group but retain flexibility for suppliers to have additional criteria subject to Ofgem’s approval.
- Include the provision of a rebate to eligible park home residents in the list of approved Industry Initiative activities as well as additional groups of customers who may be at particular risk of living in fuel poverty.
- Introduce a number of further, small and technical changes to improve the help households receive and provide greater flexibility in how suppliers meet their obligations.
https://www.gov.uk/government/consultat ... -to-201516
and http://www.localgov.co.uk/More-low-inco ... heme/38038
