# UK Government Launches £100 Million Energy Bill Support Scheme New discretionary fund assists households excluded from the primary £100 energy rebate program. - **Source:** [Daily Express :: Finance Feed](https://www.express.co.uk) - **Published:** 2026-10-30 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/9c93b7d8-ef72-42d9-80ad-c56640838360 ## New Energy Relief Measures Chancellor John Healey announced a comprehensive energy support package on October 28 to mitigate rising costs. The core initiative provides a £100 payment to approximately 20 million households in England. This specific rebate targets properties within Council Tax bands A to D, aiming to offer immediate financial relief starting in January 2027. ## Eligibility and Band Constraints Qualification for the £100 payment depends strictly on residing in a primary home within Council Tax bands A to D. These bands are historically pegged to 1991 property market values. Consequently, households in bands E through H, valued above £88,001, are currently excluded from receiving this automatic government energy rebate payment. ## Discretionary Fund Implementation To address the exclusion of higher-band households, the government has allocated an additional £100 million in funding. This discretionary pool is designed to support families who struggle with energy bills but do not qualify for the primary rebate. Local authorities hold the responsibility for distributing these funds to those in genuine financial need. ## Local Council Authority Role Individual local councils will define the specific eligibility criteria for accessing the £100 million discretionary fund. Residents are advised to monitor their local council websites for application procedures and official guidance. If uncertainty remains regarding eligibility, the government encourages citizens to contact their local council offices directly for clarification on available support options. ## Broader Budgetary Energy Strategy Beyond the £100 rebate, the government is implementing further measures to reduce energy expenditure for millions. This includes the elimination of standing charges on gas bills for roughly 23 million homes. Additionally, the existing VAT reduction on electricity bills is extended until July 2027, providing further relief against rising utility price caps. ## Impact of Price Caps The extended VAT cut on electricity is projected to reduce the Ofgem annual price cap by approximately £50 starting in April 2027. These combined fiscal interventions aim to provide households with necessary breathing space. By layering direct rebates with structural bill reductions, the government seeks to stabilize energy costs across various income brackets. ## Historical Valuation Context Council Tax bands in England remain anchored to property values from April 1, 1991. Band A covers properties valued up to £40,000, while Band D serves as the baseline for local authority calculations, covering values up to £88,000. This legacy system dictates the current distribution of the new energy support payments across England. ## Strategic Policy Rationale The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero acknowledges that financial hardship is not confined to lower tax bands. By delegating discretionary power to local authorities, the government attempts to create a more nuanced support system. This approach ensures that aid reaches vulnerable households that might otherwise fall through the rigid band-based criteria. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.express.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/2261955/households-not-eligible-100-payments — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._