Getting Started news in 2026
14 stories, newest first.
- November 2026
Chancellor announces plan to abolish gas standing charges
Chancellor John Healey has asked Ofgem to remove gas standing charges for around 23 million homes in 2027 or as soon as possible after, with fixed costs moved onto unit rates.
Pension Age Winter Heating Payment payments begin in Scotland
Social Security Scotland has confirmed the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment will be issued automatically from November 2026 to around 1.4 million pensioners in Scotland, with amounts of between £105.55 and £316.70.
- October 2026
Warm Home Discount £150 payments to begin on Monday for around six million households
The Warm Home Discount takes £150 off energy bills once during winter, and around six million households now qualify, with payments beginning on Monday 2 November 2026.
Chancellor announces abolition of standing charges on household gas bills
Chancellor John Healey has said he will ask Ofgem to remove standing charges from household gas bills, a fixed fee of £108 a year for the typical household, in 2027 or as soon as possible after.
Government temporarily removed 5% VAT from electricity bills until March 31 next year
The government has cut VAT on electricity bills from 5% to zero for six months from 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027, worth around £45 a year, while gas stays at 5%.
Warm Home Discount helpline opens for winter 2026/27
The DWP has confirmed the Warm Home Discount helpline for winter 2026/27 opened on October 19, 2026, with a £150 discount on electricity bills for eligible low-income households.
Household Electricity Discount Scheme starts with £63 discount for around 860,000 NI households
Around 860,000 households in Northern Ireland will receive a £63 electricity discount from 6 October 2026, applied automatically by suppliers under the Household Electricity Discount Scheme.
0% VAT rate on domestic electricity bills begins for 6 months
VAT on domestic electricity bills falls from 5% to 0% for six months from 1 October 2026, a cut worth around £45 a year to a typical household, announced the day after Andy Burnham became Prime Minister.
- September 2026
Winter Fuel Payment replaced in Scotland by Pension Age Winter Heating Payment
The Winter Fuel Payment no longer applies in Scotland, where it has been replaced by the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment, with rates of up to £316.70 for winter 2026/27.
- April 2026
Winter Heating Payment replaces Cold Weather Payment in Scotland
The Winter Heating Payment has replaced the Cold Weather Payment in Scotland, paying £62 automatically to people on qualifying benefits between December and February.
Carer Support Payment replaces Carer's Allowance in Scotland
Carer Support Payment has replaced Carer's Allowance in Scotland and is now available across the country, with three further payments for carers also in place.
Energy bills to be cut as government removes policy costs from electricity bills
The government has removed some policy costs from electricity bills from 1 April 2026, cutting unit rates and standing charges for households on variable and fixed tariffs in Great Britain.
Scottish income limit for free school meals takes effect from 1st April 2026
The household income limit for Universal Credit claimants applying for free school meals in Scotland rises to £11,940 a year, or £995 a month, from 1st April 2026.
- March 2026
Scottish social security up-rating regulations made
The Scottish Ministers have made two sets of regulations uprating Scottish social security payments, including Scottish child payment, disability and carer benefits, with most increases taking effect from 6 April 2026.