Where to Start News: page 2
- July 2024
NEA figures show 5.6 million UK households in fuel poverty from 1 July
National Energy Action figures show 5.6 million UK households will be in fuel poverty from 1 July, as the energy price cap falls 7 per cent to a typical bill of £1,568 a year.
- May 2024
HES Grant and Loan Scheme changes approved
The Scottish Government has confirmed that changes to the Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan Scheme, including ending new funding for solar panels and batteries, were approved on 15 May 2024.
Retrofit Roundtable urges Scottish Government to act on retrofit recommendations
The Retrofit Roundtable, backed by SNIPEF and 12 industry partners, has published a report urging the Scottish Government to act quickly on retrofit so Scotland meets its net-zero and fuel poverty targets.
- April 2024
NEA fuel poverty estimate updated for the price cap from 1 April 2024
National Energy Action's estimate that 6 million UK households, 21.1 per cent, are in fuel poverty applies from 1 April 2024, when the new Ofgem price cap took effect.
Warm Homes advice service full public launch
The Welsh Government has confirmed that a full public Warm Homes advice service will be launched on 1 April 2024, offering impartial advice on using energy more efficiently.
Warm Homes Nest scheme launched
The Welsh Government launched its new demand-led Warm Homes Nest scheme on 1 April 2024, replacing the previous Nest contract, which ran to the end of March 2024.
- March 2024
AECB reports Prospecthill Court retrofit as biggest AECB Retrofit project thus far in the UK
River Clyde Homes is retrofitting 90 flats in a 15-storey Greenock tower block with Kier Group, a project the AECB describes as its largest UK retrofit and the first to its standards in Scotland.
Existing Nest scheme to end in March 2024
The Welsh Government has confirmed its Warm Homes Nest scheme will close at the end of March 2024, with a replacement programme starting on 1 April to avoid any gap in provision.
NEA launches GB-wide fuel poverty and health programme
National Energy Action has launched Warm Homes, Healthy Futures, a Great Britain wide fuel poverty and health programme backed by the four gas distribution networks, with delivery starting in May.
- February 2024
NEA and partners publish Fuel Poverty Monitor identifying £18 billion energy efficiency funding gap
National Energy Action, with Energy Action Scotland and Gemserv, has published a Fuel Poverty Monitor identifying a funding gap of at least £18 billion to meet England's 2030 fuel poverty energy efficiency target.
Labour announces new warm homes plan
Labour has announced a new warm homes plan, prompting the fuel poverty charity National Energy Action to call for urgent, funded action on energy efficiency for the households least able to heat their homes.
- January 2024
NEA and EAS launch UK Fuel Poverty Monitor warning 3 million English households will remain in fuel poverty by 2030
National Energy Action and Energy Action Scotland warn that three million English households will still be in fuel poverty by 2030, with an £18 billion funding gap identified in their UK Fuel Poverty Monitor.
NEA publishes response to additional debt-related costs allowance policy consultation
National Energy Action has published its response to the consultation on an additional debt-related costs allowance, saying record market debt and arrears of £2.6bn show households are falling behind on energy costs.
NEA publishes response to prepayment meter standing charges consultation
National Energy Action has published its response to the statutory consultation on prepayment meter standing charges and other debt costs, restating its long-standing call to remove payment premiums.
Nesta publishes report on how much insulation UK houses really need
Nesta has published a report arguing that insulation is not a prerequisite for heat pumps and proposing that 13 million homes reach EPC C by 2030 at a cost of around £60 billion.
Price cap increases on 1 January 2024
National Energy Action marked the 1 January 2024 price cap rise by saying 6.1 million UK households are now in fuel poverty, 1.6 million more than when the energy crisis began.
- December 2023
SSEN partners with YES Energy Solutions to offer free energy saving advice line
SSEN customers in the north of Scotland and central southern England can use the YES Advice Line for free energy efficiency advice, funding applications and benefit checks.
- November 2023
GGF reports 98% of homes losing energy through underperforming windows
The Glass and Glazing Federation says 98 per cent of UK homes are losing energy through underperforming windows, in research published on its environmental hub.
GGF reports 98% of UK windows would fail current standards if installed today
The Glass and Glazing Federation says 98 per cent of UK windows would fail current standards if installed today, and puts the annual saving from replacing pre-2002 windows at up to £4.1 billion.
Which? warns cheap appliances can carry high running costs
Which? has published test-based annual running costs showing that some low-priced appliances, including a £7 kettle costing £50.74 a year to run, can cost more to run than the average model.
Low Carbon Hub publishes low-cost, no-cost energy saving leaflet
Low Carbon Hub has published a free downloadable leaflet of low-cost and no-cost energy saving measures for households, dated November 2023, covering draught-proofing, insulation, appliance use and heating controls.
- October 2023
SGN launches energy efficiency tool with Energy Saving Trust
SGN has launched an energy efficiency tool developed with the Energy Saving Trust that gives households a personalised action plan and could save an average of £110 a year on bills.
Changeworks and Melville Housing Association install external wall insulation in Penicuik
Changeworks has overseen external wall insulation at two Melville Housing Association properties in Penicuik, part of a wider programme targeting 75 homes in Midlothian.
- September 2023
Coalition of over 130 organisations calls for an energy social tariff
More than 130 organisations have written to the Prime Minister calling for a social tariff, as the Energy Price Guarantee is set to end in 2024 and no consultation has been published.
Consumer groups warn this winter will be as brutal as the last with no repeat of crisis support
Consumer groups told MPs that more than a million vulnerable households missed energy crisis support last winter, and warned this winter will be as brutal with no repeat of the schemes.
Great British Insulation Scheme launched, formerly known as ECO+
The Great British Insulation Scheme, formerly ECO+, has launched across England, Scotland and Wales, administered by Ofgem and running to March 2026, with average annual bill savings of £400.
- August 2023
ECIU analysis finds inefficient homes to pay around £720 more under October 2023 price cap
ECIU analysis published on 25 August 2023 finds homes rated EPC band F will pay £721 more a year than band C homes under Ofgem's October 2023 price cap of £1,923.
Government launches 36 pilot energy advice services backed by £20 million
The government has launched 36 pilot energy advice services backed by £20 million, trialling in-person efficiency advice for more than 125,000 households across England.
Scottish Government limited solar funding to homes with renewable heating systems
The Scottish Government restricted Home Energy Scotland solar funding to homes with renewable heating from August 2023, before solar and battery support was withdrawn entirely in June 2024.
- July 2023
NEA and consumer groups call on Government to publish social tariff consultation
National Energy Action, Energy UK, Citizens Advice, Fair By Design and MoneySavingExpert have urged the Government to publish its planned consultation on a social tariff and other bill support before Parliament returns in September.