Government website crashes after £100 energy payment announcement

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 28 Oct, 15:28 · Archive

The government's council tax checker website crashed after people rushed to check if they qualify for a £100 energy payment announced by Chancellor John Healey.

Chancellor John Healey announced a £100 Household Energy Payment for 20 million households in council tax bands A to D during the Autumn Statement this afternoon. The payment will be made directly into eligible bank accounts without requiring an application, helping households deal with rising energy bills during the coldest months. The £2.6 billion scheme is part of efforts to give families 'breathing space' as they face increased costs.

Within minutes of Healey's announcement to MPs, the government's council tax checker website crashed under the volume of traffic. Error messages appeared when users tried to enter their postcodes, reading 'Sorry, there is a problem with the service. Try again later.' Britons rushed to check their tax bands to determine whether they would receive the payment.

The payment will be funded partly through a temporary increase in taxes on banks. The announcement also included a plan to overhaul standing charges on gas bills, replacing the fixed charge paid by all households with charges per unit used. The support comes as families face the prospect of another increase to the energy price cap in January, and as VAT on electricity bills has been extended until July 2027.

How it is being reported

• Council tax checker website CRASHES during Budget as bill payers race to see if they can claim £100 energy payment this winterThe government's council tax checker has crashed after people flooded to check the website to see whether they qualify for a £100 energy payment announced in the budget.Daily Mail · 28 Oct, 15:13
• Government website crashes just minutes after John Healey's £100 council tax payment announcementThe Government website has crashed after Chancellor John Healey announced a £100 Household Energy Payment for homeowners in certain tax bands. Britons rushing to check their tax band have caused the Government's website to crash during the delivery of his Autumn Statement. Making the announcement to MPs this afternoon, Mr Healey said: "Today, I am taking one further step. This winter, for 20 million households in council tax bands A to D, I am announcing a £100 Household Energy Payment, paid directly into people’s bank accounts to help deal with rising energy bills. "A £2.6billion scheme to…GB News · 28 Oct, 13:28

In this story: John Healey · UK · Scotland · Wales · Northern Ireland

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