Energy bills: thousands of UK households in limbo over £400 support

Concerns grow that people relying on communal heating may not receive state discount promised

Thousands of people living in homes with centrally supplied electricity are still waiting to hear if and when the UK government will pay them the 400 promised under the energy bills support scheme.

While those living in conventional homes with standard electricity meters are due to receive their second monthly payment of 66, concern is growing among some of the several hundred thousand households that receive their electricity via a communal supply that they will not see any of the money they have been promised.