David Tredinnick, MP for Bosworth, has welcomed the news that more pensioners are to receive help with their energy bills this winter.  

The Warm Home Discount Scheme - paid for by the energy companies and now worth £140 per household - is being expanded by 200,000, to include everyone who receives Pension Credit Guarantee. 

While hundreds of thousands of people on low incomes are eligible to claim the discount - which in most cases is applied automatically by energy suppliers - many do not receive the discount, unless they ask for it. 

David Tredinnick said, "I welcome the extension of the Warm Homes Scheme to everyone receiving the Pension Credit Guarantee as no one should have to go without heating because they are worrying about the bills. I urge qualifying pensioners in Hinckley & Bosworth to contact their energy company directly, as eligibility criteria vary between different suppliers." 

Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, said, "Clearly much more must be done to encourage these older people who need extra help the most to claim everything they are entitled to, so they don't have to struggle through the winter." 

The Department for Work and Pensions said that even though 1.7m pensioners will now be able to claim the discount, only 1.4m are expected to take it up. 

The scheme, which began in 2011, is expected to cost energy firms £315m this winter.

The industry has already promised not to cut off energy supplies from vulnerable customers during the winter months.