Response to DECC’s Warm Home Discount 2016/17 Consultation

Citizens Advice is fully supportive of the extension of the Warm Home Discount
(WHD), a positive measure that helps vulnerable people to meet the cost of the
energy they need to heat their homes through the winter.

We are encouraged by the high level of cooperation between different parts of
Government and industry that the scheme represents. This cooperation, through the data matching process, allows WHD to be administered efficiently and accurately to the
majority of recipients. Therefore we welcome greatly plans outlined in this consultation to extend data matching, and look forward to advising DECC which households should be included in that exercise.

Our response advocates other improvements to the scheme including the incorporation of more energy suppliers and better administration to PPM users, many of whom are at great risk of self disconnection during the winter.