SECTION · 4 ARTICLES
Household
The energy price cap, help with Council Tax on a lower income, grants for home adaptations and the age at which free bus travel starts in each part of the UK.
Free bus travel starts at 60 in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, but in England outside London only at State Pension age, now rising from 66 to 67. Each pass comes from its own official issuer.
Ofgem’s cap limits unit rates and standing charges, not the total bill. From 1 October 2026 the typical Direct Debit figure is £1,723 a year, but region, payment method and use all change what a household pays.
Council Tax Reduction can cut a bill by up to 100%. Pension-age rules in England are national, working-age schemes are set by each council, and Scotland and Wales have their own schemes.
A Disabled Facilities Grant can pay up to £30,000 in England towards adaptations such as stairlifts, ramps and level-access showers. The council assesses the need and must decide within six months.