Government plans wider sharing of income data with energy firms

The UK government wants to change the law so that energy suppliers can receive more information about households, including, according to Polish Express, income data held by HMRC. The aim is to direct future help with bills to those who need it.

What the bill provides for

The changes are part of the Energy Independence Bill, which the government introduced to Parliament on 4 November 2026. The bill covers consumer protection, support with bills, home upgrades and energy infrastructure, among other things.

At present, under the Digital Economy Act 2017, data can only be shared between government and licensed energy suppliers to support households in fuel poverty. The amendment widens that legal basis. Data could also be used to support other customers, such as households with high energy costs or homes that are hard to heat.

According to a government document, around 2.7 million households in England were classed as fuel poor in 2024. Many more face high bills but fall outside that definition. The change would also allow data to be shared with other licensed bodies in the sector, such as distribution network operators.

Who will pay more?

Government documents cited by Polish Express indicate that future support schemes could be funded by those "most able to bear the costs". If the costs were added to energy bills, they would fall mainly on higher-income households that do not qualify for help. Households receiving support could also be exempted from the costs, or the costs could be spread according to ability to pay. The costs could also be covered by taxpayers or by the energy companies themselves.

When could this happen?

No new support scheme has been developed yet. The documents suggest the earliest it could start is the 2028–2029 winter season. The bill also gives ministers powers to create schemes that reduce bills for households in difficulty. The bill is still going through Parliament and may change.

What this means for you

For now nothing changes: there is no scheme yet and no rules on how higher bills would be calculated. If the bill passes and a scheme is created, household income could determine whether people receive support or face higher costs, including in Polish families. The details will only be known once specific rules are drawn up.