South Lakeland District Council (SLDC) has issued an update on when residents can expect their £150 energy rebate.

In February the government announced a package of support to help households with the rising costs of energy bills.

This included the £150 non-repayable rebate for households in England in council tax bands A – D, known as the Council Tax Energy Rebate Scheme.

SLDC has today (May 27) started to pay those who pay council tax by Direct Debit.

And it said it would begin writing to people who do not pay by Direct Debit in June to invite them to complete an online form to provide their bank details.

The Government’s expectation is that councils will administer the support as soon as possible after April 1 and before September 30 for main scheme payments and as soon as possible after April 1 but before November 30 for discretionary scheme payments.

Read more: Residents will receive energy rebate 'as soon as possible' says council

A council spokesman said: “We have started today to pay the £150 Energy Rebate to residents who pay their council tax by Direct Debit. We expect the payments to reach customers' bank accounts on Tuesday.

“From June, we will start writing to people who don’t currently pay by Direct Debit to invite them to complete a short online form to provide bank details so that we can make payment.

“The letter will also explain how we will make your payment if you do not have a bank account.

“We are not calling taxpayers to ask for bank details for the rebate payments and any communication from us will come in a letter.”