With the winter season in full swing, more households are seeking to manage the financial strain of heating costs during the colder months. The government-backed Warm Home Discount (WHD) scheme offers a £150 reduction to electricity bills for low-income eligible households.
The WHD contributes to reducing fuel poverty, which not only ensures the warmth of households but also impacts local economies by helping to sustain consumer spending as companies face operation expenses such as business gas prices and energy costs. The WHD scheme raises awareness of energy changes affecting domestic and business energy consumption.
We highlight the areas benefiting from the WHD by examining several factors, including the number of households receiving the WHD and the value of monetary rebates across the UK.
Uptake has Soared 58.5% in Barking and Dagenham
1. Barking and Dagenham – Year-on-year change of 58.5%
Barking and Dagenham is the local authority that had the highest year-on-year increase in households benefiting from the WHD scheme, with a 58.5% growth. In the financial year of 2022-2023, the borough’s total value of rebates was £900,000; by 2023-2024, this figure jumped to £1.5 million, indicating a significant increase in the number of households benefiting from the scheme.
2. Stevenage – Year-on-year change of 57.3%
Stevenage ranks second, with the amount of households receiving the Warm Home Discount increasing by more than half (57%). Between 2022 and 2023, approximately 2,143 households benefited from the scheme. This increased to 3,371 in the 2023-2024 financial year. This growth reflects an increased commitment to helping residents reduce the cost of their energy bills over the winter.
3. Welwyn Hatfield – Year-on-year change of 55.7%
With an increase of over half (55.7%) in the number of households participating in the Warm Home Discount scheme, Welwyn Hatfield completes the top three. The local authority recorded £500,000 in the value of rebates between 2023-2024 — a generous increase of £200,000 from its previous financial year.
Yorkshire and the Humber is the UK region with the most significant yearly increase in Warm Home Discount Scheme uptake
Yorkshire and the Humber experienced the highest growth in households receiving the WHD, going from 261,631 between 2022-2023 to 351,611 by 2023-2024 — a 34.4% increase. As a result, the region has also seen a significant rise in the value of rebates, which was £39.2 million the previous financial year but rose to £52.7 million in the 2023 financial year.
The West Midlands is next on this list, with a yearly increase in households receiving the WHD of almost a third (30.1%), while the East of England follows closely behind in third place. The East of England saw a 30% increase in the proportion of households receiving the WHD, helping reduce the winter energy costs in more homes.
South Yorkshire is the county with the highest number of households receiving the Warm Home Discount
1. South Yorkshire – Year-on-year change of 37.8%
With an annual change of nearly two-fifths (37.8%), South Yorkshire takes the top spot for the increase in households benefiting from the Warm Home Discount. The proportion of homes receiving the WHD grew from 11.9% in 2022-2023 to 16.5% in 2023-2024, and the value of rebates rose by over £4 million. This increase highlights South Yorkshire’s commitment to reducing fuel poverty by helping more low-income families meet their energy needs without compromising on essential expenses.
2. West Yorkshire – Year-on-year change of 37.1%
West Yorkshire follows closely, with a year-on-year increase of 37.1%. This county has seen one of the highest growth in the number of households receiving the WHD, rising from 111,645 in 2022-2023 to 153,098 as of 2023-2024. In turn, the proportion of households receiving the discount grew from 10.8% to 14.8%, highlighting efforts to ensure more adequately heated homes.
3. Hertfordshire – Year-on-year change of 35.1%
Hertfordshire ranks third, with an annual increase of over a third (35.1%) in households benefiting from the WHD scheme. The share of homes receiving the discount rose from 5.2% in 2022-2023 to 7.1% by 2023-2024, and as a result, the value of rebates grew by over £1 million.
Urban areas have seen a 28% increase in the number of homes receiving the Warm Home Discount
Data suggests that the number of households receiving WHD in urban areas saw a 28.1% year-on-year increase. The value of rebates rose by 28.1%, rising from £307 million in 2022-2023 to £393.1 million in 2023-2024.
While urban areas account for most households receiving the WHD, semi-rural areas follow closely behind, with an annual increase of almost a quarter (24.3%) in the share of households receiving the discount.
Although rural areas tend to face higher energy costs, they are less likely to qualify for eligible benefits, with just a 12.6% increase in the number of households receiving the WHD.
On a more in-depth level, urban minor conurbation areas, like Teeside and Alfreton, have seen the highest increase in the number of households receiving the WHD (37.9%). In 2022-2023, the value of rebates was £15.3 million, rising to £21.1 million in 2023-2024.
Major urban conurbation areas, including large, highly populated areas like Manchester and London, follow. Despite having a much larger population, these areas experience a slightly lower year-on-year increase of just under a third (28.4%) in households receiving the WHD.
Households with lead beneficiaries aged between 36 and 45-year-olds have seen the highest growth in households receiving the Warm Home Discount
Interestingly, the 36 to 45-year-old age bracket has seen the highest growth in households receiving the WHD, with nearly half (49.7%) benefiting. This may suggest that more low-income households fall within this age group, increasing the need for the scheme.
Younger age groups also benefit from the discount, with the 26 to 35-year-olds following closely. This group has seen a 16.1% increase in the share of households receiving the WHD.
Surprisingly, older age groups, such as the 66 to 75-year-olds and those over 76, have experienced an annual decrease of up to 18% in the proportion of households receiving the discount.
Single adults with children are more likely to receive the Warm Home Discount
Data suggests that single adult households with children are more likely to benefit from the Warm Home Discount, with an increase of nearly two-thirds (61.9%) in rebate value in the number of families benefiting from the scheme. This demographic has also seen a rise of just under a third (28.6%) regarding the share of rebates since 2022. This is likely due to lower average household income.
Multiple adults with children follow closely behind, with the percentage share of rebates increasing from 13.4% in 2022-23 to 16.9% in 2023-24, equating to an increase in rebate value of nearly 60%.
In contrast, adults without dependent children have experienced a decrease in their share of rebates but have seen a slight increase in the number of households receiving the WHD.
Households receiving a disability premium may be more likely to qualify for the Warm Home Discount
Households receiving a disability premium have seen an annual increase of over a third (36.1%) in the number of homes receiving the WHD. The share of rebates has also risen by almost 8%. In 2022-2023, the value of rebates totalled over £107 million; this jumped to nearly £146 million in 2023-2024. This significant growth comes as a result of people with disabilities being more likely to come from low-income households and are, therefore, financially vulnerable.
Homes with no disability premium saw a 3.2% decrease in their share of rebates, but there was a 21.8% increase in the number of households receiving the discount.
Wales grabs the top spot with the most Google searches for the Warm Home Discount per 100,000 people
Wales tops the list with the most Google searches for the Warm Home Discount, with 1,312 searches per 100,000 people. This may be due to the country’s high estimated rate of fuel poverty, at 45%, indicating that more homes struggle to afford adequate heating.1
South Yorkshire ranks second with 773 Google searches per 100,000 people. With a relatively high number of low-income households, families, and pensioners, many residents may struggle with fuel poverty. Not too far behind is Lincolnshire, with 755 Google searches per 100,000 people. Considered more of a rural county, Lincolnshire has many older homes that often require higher energy costs due to their lack of proper insulation, making them less energy-efficient.
As a result, the WHD not only provides financial support to offset additional expenses but also helps these homes manage their high energy costs during the winter, reducing financial burdens in the long term.
The most Googled winter schemes in the UK
Several winter schemes are available for eligible UK residents to help vulnerable households through the winter. The Winter Fuel Payment is currently the most searched scheme in the UK, with over 2.8 million annual Google searches. This scheme provides a one-off payment of up to £300 for those who have reached state pension age.
Other commonly searched schemes include the Household Support Fund, which has over one million Google searches annually and helps residents with heating bills. The Cold Weather Payment has nearly one million searches in the last 12 months and provides £25 each week when the average temperature in the area drops to zero degrees or below.
Author Commentary
“The UK offers a range of government-backed winter schemes designed to ease the financial strain of energy costs during the colder months. For example, the Winter Fuel Payment provides a tax-free sum of up to £300 to eligible households, while the Warm Home Discount offers a £150 reduction in energy bills for those who qualify.
“When applying for a winter scheme, ensure you check annually for any potential changes to the eligibility criteria. It is also essential to apply early, especially for funds with deadlines, to avoid disappointment. You should contact your local authority directly for discretionary support if needed.
“These schemes are not just about immediate financial relief — they play a vital role in supporting vulnerable groups such as pensioners, low-income households, and individuals with disabilities. They also contribute to longer-term government goals by promoting energy efficiency and helping families stay warm while reducing overall energy consumption.
“Households should also explore other measures, such as government grants for home insulation or boiler upgrades, which can provide lasting energy savings. By combining immediate relief from winter schemes with long-term efficiency improvements, homes can manage current challenges and build resilience against rising energy costs.”
Methodology
Using the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, we collected data on the Warm Home Discount for 2023 to 2024 and compared it to 2022 to 2023.
The comparison of these financial years highlights the WHD’s benefits and the best regions, counties, and local authorities to receive this scheme based on the year-on-year percentage increase.
To reveal the areas that Google the WHD the most and the most searched UK winter scheme, we used Google’s Keyword Planner, looking at searches from October 2023 to September 2024. We calculated the total number of Google searches per 100,000 signed-in Google users for each area using the reach as of November 7, 2024.
1. https://www.nea.org.uk/fuel-poverty-map/fuel-poverty-in-wales/
Response was very quick. quotes were very competitive and the advice from Liam was exactly what was needed. a great service!
Very quick & easy contact, sourced new rates quickly & transfer process was simple .
Utility Bidder takes all the hassle out of sorting through the mine field of service providers and provides a professional and time efficient way of securing a competitive price for my energy needs.
Having previously spoken with a rival broker whose consultants I felt were pressuring me into signing a contract immediately, Kirsty Schofield was a breath of air. She found a cheaper and shorter contract to suit my needs and was very friendly and efficient. She made renewing my energy contract a pleasant experience instead of a dreaded chore.”
First class service from Sarah at Utility Bidder, I have been with them for a couple of years now and wouldn’t go elsewhere and would certainly recommend.
Don’t take our word! Listen to our customers
Award-winning energy comparison
We’re dedicated to helping businesses like yours save more on energy. It only takes a couple of minutes to compare quotes.