Prime Minister Andy Burnham, leading the new Labour government, has confirmed the introduction of six-monthly Cost of Living payments for households in England.
The government has announced the deployment of new pylons and upgraded grid infrastructure in selected areas, aiming to provide cheaper electricity bills to nearby households.
Under this scheme, households located within 500 metres of the new or improved overhead transmission lines and other qualifying infrastructure will begin receiving discounts on their electricity bills in the first half of 2027. Most eligible households will have the discount automatically applied to their bills every six months via their energy supplier. However, some, such as those with commercial meters, may need to apply to receive the benefit.
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Ministers have assured that eligible households will be contacted directly by their energy supplier or Ofgem with further information during the first half of 2027.
These developments come amid ongoing scrutiny of Prime Minister Burnham’s government concerning the Rosebank and Jackdaw oil fields. London Mayor Sadiq Khan has urged the government to reaffirm its commitment to enhanced climate action and to reduce the UK’s dependence on oil and gas. This appeal follows a summer marked by drought, wildfires, and heatwaves across the UK.
Writing in The Guardian, Mayor Khan emphasised that Andy Burnham’s administration must reinforce its dedication to achieving net zero emissions and clearly communicate its intention to diminish reliance on fossil fuels, stating this is crucial to realign the UK’s climate efforts.
Professor Nicholas Stern of the London School of Economics has warned that pursuing new drilling and slowing climate action would harm both the UK’s economic growth and energy security, while sending a negative message internationally.
Khan described this summer’s “terrifying scenes” as indicative of an “era of extremes”. He expressed concern that the previous cross-party consensus on climate action has fractured, with opposition politicians and right-wing populists oscillating between climate denial and fatalism. Despite this, he affirmed that progress remains possible.
He concluded: “My fear is that-without urgent action-the worst is still to come. To protect our planet and its inhabitants, we must reverse climate denial by preparing for a hotter future and committing to net zero like never before.”