Off-grid energy users left in the dark over budget support: Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has promised to double support for households using alternative fuels
Thousands of homes that do not receive power from the electric grid do not know how they will access the support promised in this month’s budget.
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has promised to double support for households using alternative fuels such as fuel oil, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and biomass. In September, these households were promised £100 to help pay the bills. This was doubled to £200 by the Chancellor, which is to be paid this winter.
Last week, more than 11.6million pensioners started receiving up to £600 from the government to pay their bills. Payments must come directly to bank accounts.
Not knowing where to turn: Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has promised to double support for households using alternative fuels
But households that are off-grid and without an electricity provider still need to know when and how they will receive theirs. The Mail on Sunday was inundated with messages from these readers.
Glenda and Neil Cruickshank, 79 and 82 respectively, live in a park house in Shropshire. They receive both their gas – the LPG cylinders – and their electricity through their site owner, who has a contract with a supplier.
Glenda says, “My husband is type 1 diabetic so we need support to keep our house warm. I was happy when the Chancellor announced more help, but I just thought: can we have the first batch please?
A government spokesperson said: “Those who do not have a relationship with an electricity supplier will receive the alternative fuel payment. We will confirm details of when this will be done shortly.
