Payments could be issued to homes hit by the upcoming blast of cold winter weather in the UK. Snow is forecast in the UK, the Met Office says, and a cold weather health alert has been issued for all of England ahead of a week of low temperatures.

The winter season often sees a surge in expenses for many households. As temperatures drop, the instinctive response is to crank up the thermostat, leading to an inevitable increase in energy bills.

However, relief may be on the horizon for…