Three million were still waiting to pay £150 energy bills months into the scheme, according to a new report. While the vast majority who pay council tax by direct debit had received the money by July 1, around half who pay in other ways had not, the BBC reported. The government launched the scheme in April and told councils to make the payments “as soon as possible”. Everything should be paid by the end of September, he said. It comes as households prepare to see bills soar again when a new energy price cap – which sets the maximum amount customers can be charged on standard tariffs – is set on Friday. Experts are predicting another huge rise in energy bills from £1,971 to potentially up to £3,600 a year as global gas prices continue to soar. In other news, a think tank has estimated that the government will have to pay more than £110bn to cover almost all of Britons’ extra energy costs next year.

Basic points

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“Postcode Lottery” with discount

A charity warned earlier this year that it was becoming a “postcode lottery” over how quickly households took this discount to help boost their energy bills.

Poorer households face ‘postcode lottery’ for £150 energy discount, charity says

Adam Scorer, chief executive of the NEA, described the government’s response as “completely inadequate so far”. Zoe Tidman24 August 2022 12:59 1661341546

What help is on offer during the cost of living crisis?

Let’s have a quick reminder of the government assistance given to households in the cost of living crisis:

All the help with living costs you may be entitled to and how to get the payments

Former chancellor Rishi Sunak announced a series of new measures after criticism that the government was not doing enough to tackle economic difficulties Zoe Tidman24 August 2022 12:45 1661340646

Opinion: Liz Truss walks into the same trap that trapped Theresa May

Andrew Grice has some thoughts on Liz Truss’s leadership campaign. “Trush’s approach is naive in the age of 24/7 media,” he writes. “If politicians don’t respond in real time, the beast eats them alive.”

Liz Truss walks into the same trap that trapped Theresa May Andrew Grice

Truss’ approach is naive in the age of 24/7 media. If politicians don’t respond in real time, the beast eats them alive Zoe Tidman24 August 2022 12:30 1661340526

Matt Hancock shares his ‘creepy’ Metaverse avatar

In completely separate news, Matt Hancock has become the first MP to join Metaverse, the virtual reality platform started by Facebook chief executive Mark Zuckerberg. The former Tory health secretary shared his personalized avatar in the “fascinating” online venture – sparking a backlash on social media, where the image was described as “creepy”.

Hancock shares his ‘creepy’ Metaverse avatar – becoming the first MP to participate

Metaverse ‘incredibly important and exciting’ says former health minister Zoe Tidman24 August 2022 12:28 1661339392

Three million households were still waiting for their energy bill rebate months after the program began

The BBC reported that three million households were still waiting for their £150 energy rebate on July 1 – months after the scheme was launched. Freedom of Information requests showed that most council tax payers by direct debit had had their payment by that date, while around half of those paying in other ways – usually including low-income households – had not. Councils previously said this money could go through more quickly with the direct debit arrangement:

Households could get £150 direct debit energy discount faster, councils say

Getting the money to council tax payers without direct debit arrangements will take longer, the Local Government Association said. Zoe Tidman24 August 2022 12:09 1661338849

What does the energy price cap mean to you?

With the new energy price cap due to be announced later this week, here’s a quick reminder of what it could mean for households:

What does the energy price cap mean to you?

Rising global gas prices cause dramatic increase in household bills in 2022 Zoe Tidman24 August 2022 12:00 1661337889

Salary £15 an hour

A Labor MP called for a living wage of £15 an hour: Zoe Tidman24 August 2022 11:44 1661336449

“Zombie government doing nothing about cost of living crisis,” says Labour

The shadow minister said the “zombie government” created since Boris Johnson announced he would stand down was “doing nothing” to tackle the cost of living crisis. Zoe Tidman24 August 2022 11:20 1661335789

Kuenssberg says Boris Johnson’s “personality and behaviour” led to downfall

In other news, BBC broadcaster Laura Kuensberg said Boris Johnson’s very “personality and behaviour” led to his eventual downfall as prime minister.

Boris Johnson’s ‘personality’ led to his downfall, says Laura Kuenssberg

Ex-BBC political editor shares details of ‘very hot and very weird’ Tory summer party Zoe Tidman24 August 2022 11:09 1661334949

Power price hike is ‘unaffordable’ says former Centrica boss

Iain Conn, former chief executive of Centrica, said he backed Scottish Power’s £100bn plan for a deficit fund to allow energy companies to freeze prices – an idea backed by trade body Energy UK.Conn said “something must be done and done quickly” with the UK “facing a national crisis”. He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “The size and pace of price increases is simply impossible for customers, whether they are private or business, to plan for, manage and afford.” Adam Forrest August 24, 2022 10:55 am