Grants and Schemes News
Has the Boiler Upgrade Scheme changed? Is there new help with insulation, or with paying for a heat pump or solar panels? Which schemes have closed, and who qualifies for the ones that are open?
Every grant and scheme story we have reported, newest first: new money, changed rules, closing dates and who can apply. Each one links to our guides on how to claim.
- September 2026
Winter Fuel Payment claims open for winter 2026/27
Claims for the winter 2026/27 Winter Fuel Payment opened on 21 September 2026 and close on 31 March 2027, with most eligible households paid automatically in November or December.
Household Electricity Discount Scheme to continue in 2027 and 2028
Northern Ireland's Economy Minister has confirmed a £63 electricity bill discount for around 860,000 households from 6 October, with the scheme continuing in 2027 and 2028.
Tax information and impact note published on temporary VAT zero rate
HM Revenue and Customs has published the tax information and impact note for a temporary zero rate of VAT on qualifying domestic electricity in Great Britain, running from 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027.
NISEP schemes for 2026/27 approved and live
The Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme's schemes for 2026-2027 have been approved and are live, drawing on an £8 million fund collected from electricity customers.
- August 2026
Press release on heat pump applications from heating oil households under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero says thousands of households that heat with oil have applied for a heat pump using the £9,000 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant.
Deadline for eligible households to be named on energy bill for automatic Warm Home Discount
Households on means-tested benefits must be named on their electricity bill by 23 August 2026, the date suppliers will use to award the £150 Warm Home Discount automatically this winter.
Warm Home Discount eligibility statement for England and Wales published for 2026 to 2027 scheme year
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has published the Warm Home Discount eligibility statement for England and Wales for the 2026 to 2027 scheme year.
Pembrokeshire FRAME secures VCMA funding for two-year energy support project
Wales & West Utilities has awarded VCMA funding to Pembrokeshire FRAME for a two-year project giving energy support to more than 5,000 residents in the county.
- July 2026
Product Eligibility List updated
Ofgem has published a new version of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme Product Eligibility List, the register of heat pumps and biomass boilers that meet the scheme's MCS standards.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant increased from £7,500 to £9,000
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant for eligible off-gas grid homes in England and Wales rose from £7,500 to £9,000 on 21 July 2026, a 20% increase aimed at households heating with oil or LPG.
Previous BUS grant categories and values removed, current version applies from 21 July 2026
The government has removed the previous version of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme's approved grant categories and values, with the current version to be used from 21 July 2026.
£17 million additional funding announced for Welsh housing retrofit schemes
The Welsh Government is putting a further £17 million from existing budgets into housing retrofit schemes, including more for the Nest scheme and the Optimised Retrofit Programme.
£5 million allocated to Nest scheme, taking total to £37 million this year
The Welsh Government has added £5 million to the Nest scheme, taking its total to £37 million this financial year, as part of a £17 million injection into housing retrofit.
£8 million added to Optimised Retrofit Programme, total £106.75 million in final year
Welsh Government adds £8 million to the Optimised Retrofit Programme, taking its budget to £106.75 million in the scheme's final year, as part of a £17 million retrofit funding package.
Welsh Government publishes Warm Homes Programme review report and response
The Welsh Government has published its review of the Warm Homes Programme and committed a further £17 million to retrofit schemes, including £5 million more for the Nest scheme.
UK Power Networks launches four-year Enduring Partnership programme with Community Energy Pathways and Hope4U
UK Power Networks has launched a four-year Enduring Partnership programme with Community Energy Pathways and Hope4U, aimed at helping around 60,000 vulnerable customers access energy support and grants.
Energy-saving materials 0% VAT relief end date added
HM Revenue and Customs has updated its VAT guidance to state that energy-saving materials installed in homes carry 0% VAT relief only until 31 March 2027.
Higher BUS grant for oil and LPG replacements starts
Households in England and Wales heating with oil or LPG can claim a £9,000 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant for an air-to-water or ground source heat pump from July 2026, up from £7,500.
HUG2 closed to applications in Wolverhampton area
Act on Energy has confirmed the Home Upgrade Grant is closed across Wolverhampton and neighbouring West Midlands and Worcestershire areas, with applications no longer processed and a replacement scheme expected later this year.
Updated BUS guidance published reflecting scheme changes
Ofgem published updated Boiler Upgrade Scheme guidance for installers and property owners on 2 July 2026, ahead of applications opening on 21 July under amended scheme rules.
Core Group eligibility in Scotland expanded from 2026/27
The Scottish Government has decided that Core Group eligibility for the Warm Home Discount in Scotland will align with the qualifying benefits list for the Scottish Winter Heating Payment as of December 2025.
Warm Homes Plan to invest close to £15 billion in UK homes
The Warm Homes Plan will direct close to £15 billion into UK home improvements, with fully funded heat pumps for low income households and low or zero interest loans for homeowners.
- June 2026
ECO4 measure transfer period ends
Energy suppliers can transfer completed ECO4 measures until 30 June 2026, three months after the scheme's main obligation period closed on 31 March 2026.
Ofgem publishes version 3 of Warm Home Discount guidance for England and Wales
Ofgem has published version 3 of its Warm Home Discount guidance for England and Wales, covering scheme years 16 to 20 after the scheme was extended from 2026 to 2031.
- May 2026
Secretary of State published new BUS grant categories and values
The Secretary of State has published a grant change notice setting new Boiler Upgrade Scheme categories and values, with uplifted grants of £9,000 for eligible off-gas grid properties from 21 July 2026.
Product Eligibility List updated
Ofgem updated the Boiler Upgrade Scheme Product Eligibility List on 21 May 2026, the administrative tool that identifies heat pumps and biomass boilers meeting the scheme's MCS standards.
House of Commons Library publishes home energy support briefing
The House of Commons Library published a briefing on 13 May 2026 setting out the financial support available across the UK for home energy efficiency, heating and renewable energy.
BUS Extension summary business case published
The government has published the summary business case supporting investment in extending the Boiler Upgrade Scheme to 2029/30, meeting a transparency requirement introduced in June 2025.
Ofgem publishes WHD annual report for scheme year 14
Ofgem's annual report on the Warm Home Discount shows suppliers spent £595.2 million in scheme year 14 and issued 3.41 million rebates of £150 to households in or at risk of fuel poverty.
British Gas pledges £40 million to British Gas Energy Trust
British Gas has pledged £40 million to the British Gas Energy Trust, committing £8 million a year for five years to support households facing financial hardship and energy debt.