Grants and Schemes news in 2026
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- September 2026
Final evaluation of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme published
The government has published the final evaluation of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, covering property owners' experiences, satisfaction with low carbon heating systems and the scheme's value for money.
Qualifying week for 2026 winter heating payments begins
The qualifying week of 21 to 27 September 2026 has begun, fixing eligibility and payment amounts for the Winter Fuel Payment and Scotland's Pension Age Winter Heating Payment.
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.
Grant categories and values notice amended
The government has amended the details of grant categories and values in the Boiler Upgrade Scheme notice, with a further version of the approved categories and values to apply from 21 July 2026.
Public consultation on Warm Healthy Homes Fund opens
Northern Ireland's Department for Communities has opened a public consultation on the Warm Healthy Homes Fund, its planned replacement for the Affordable Warmth Scheme, running until 19 August 2026.
- April 2026
Interim evaluation of Warm Home Discount scheme published
DESNZ has published interim findings from its evaluation of the Warm Home Discount scheme, covering recipient and supplier experiences in the 2022 to 2023 and 2023 to 2024 scheme years.
Warm Home Discount (Scotland) Regulations 2026 consented
Treasury consent was given on 29th April 2026 to regulations continuing the Warm Home Discount in Scotland to 31st March 2031, with a £150 rebate and supplier obligations set out in law.
BUS eligibility expanded and £2,500 AAHP grant introduced
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme was expanded on 28 April 2026 to cover multi-technology installations and air-to-air heat pumps at £2,500, with a valid EPC no longer required and grants deducted from upfront costs.
BUS Installer Guidance V5 applies from 28 April 2026
Ofgem's version 5 installer guidance for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme applies to applications properly made from 28 April 2026, dropping the EPC requirement and adding a £2,500 air-to-air grant.
EPC no longer required as a standing eligibility criterion from 28 April 2026
Ofgem has removed the requirement for a valid EPC as a standing eligibility criterion for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme from 28 April 2026, with alternative evidence accepted where no certificate exists.
DESNZ announces Boiler Upgrade Scheme funding increase for oil and LPG users
DESNZ has raised the Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant to £9,000 for oil and LPG heated homes in England and Wales, matching Scotland, with the uplift applying to applications from 21 July 2026.
Heat Pump Investment Accelerator Competition Round 2 opens
The second round of the Heat Pump Investment Accelerator Competition opened on 21 April 2026 and runs to 5 August 2026, offering £90 million for UK heat pump manufacturing.
British Gas Energy Trust highlights up to £1,700 grants for prepayment meter customers in debt
The British Gas Energy Trust has publicised grants of up to £1,700 for prepayment meter customers in energy debt in England, Scotland and Wales, open regardless of who supplies their energy.
Budget for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme confirmed at £400 million for 2026 to 2027
The Secretary of State has confirmed a Boiler Upgrade Scheme budget of £400 million for 2026 to 2027, covering England and Wales.
BUS grant uplifted to £9,000 for heating oil and LPG users
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant for homes heated by oil or LPG has risen to £9,000, £1,500 more than the standard rate, with the change expected to take effect in July 2026.
Regulations come into force and scheme year 16 begins
The Warm Home Discount (England and Wales) Regulations 2026 came into force on 1st April 2026, continuing the scheme to 2030 with a £150 rebate and a £78 million non-core spending obligation for scheme year 16.
Rolling submissions for ECO4 to GBIS reassignment open
Ofgem will allow energy suppliers to make rolling submissions to reassign ECO4 delivery to the Great British Insulation Scheme from 30 April 2026, under guidance published for the scheme's final year.
WHD cost recovery moves to the unit rate from 1 April 2026
The government has confirmed that energy suppliers should recover Warm Home Discount costs from the unit rate for electricity and gas from 1 April 2026, moving the charge off the standing charge.
- March 2026
Changes made to the Warm Home Discount Scheme in response to consultation
Ofgem has confirmed changes to the Warm Home Discount from April 2026, following a government consultation that closed in January 2026, with scheme year 16 opening on different dates in England, Wales and Scotland.
Current warm home discount regulations expire
The regulations underpinning the Warm Home Discount expire on 31 March 2026, with a 2025 instrument extending the period for issuing rebate notices and widening eligibility for winter 2025-26.
ECO4 Innovation applications stop being accepted
Ofgem has stopped accepting ECO4 Innovation Measure and Data Light Measure applications after 31 March 2026, though applications received before that date will still be considered.
Innovation Measure and Data light Measure applications close
Ofgem has closed the ECO4 Innovation Measure and Data light Measure application routes, with no applications accepted after 31 March 2026, following amendments to the ECO4 Order.
Scottish Emergency Heating Oil Scheme opens for applications
The Scottish Emergency Heating Oil Scheme has opened to applications, paying £300 directly to the oil or LPG supplier of eligible low-income and vulnerable households in Scotland.
Three EV charging grants closed to customer applications
Three government electric vehicle charging grants closed to customer applications on 31 March 2026, while five other chargepoint schemes were extended to 31 March 2027 with higher grant rates.
Oxfordshire expands Warm Homes Local Grant support
Oxfordshire County Council says hundreds more households could receive fully funded insulation, low carbon heating and solar panels through the Warm Homes Local Grant, and warns residents about cold callers.
Warm Home Discount Regulations 2026 made with Treasury consent
The Warm Home Discount (England and Wales) Regulations 2026 were made on 27th March 2026 with Treasury consent, continuing the scheme to 31st March 2030 and setting supplier spending obligations to scheme year 20.
DWP to amend Crisis and Resilience Fund scheme guidance for heating oil price crisis support
The Department for Work and Pensions will amend Crisis and Resilience Fund guidance so councils can help households in crisis from rising heating oil prices, backed by £53 million across the UK.
Welsh Government sets out support for householders affected by ECO closure and CES ceasing trading
The Welsh Government has set out support routes for households affected by the closure of the Energy Company Obligation scheme and the collapse of installer Consumer Energy Solutions.
GBIS costs notice published
The government published a costs notice for the Great British Insulation Scheme on 2 March 2026, one of a series of updates to the scheme's official statistics collection.
Affordable Warmth Scheme extended to March 2026
The Affordable Warmth Scheme in Northern Ireland has been extended for a further two years, continuing until March 2026, with £14m available this year for energy efficiency works.
ECO4 funding through bills stops after March 2026
Government funding for the Energy Company Obligation through household energy bills stopped after March 2026, and major suppliers have stopped advertising or accepting ECO4 applications.
Fairer Warmth platform launched online
Surrey County Council has launched Fairer Warmth, an online platform that sits alongside its Energy Advice Tool and connects residents to national and local home energy support.
Government announces £53 million support package for heating oil households
The government has announced a £53 million support package for households that heat with oil, a fuel outside the Ofgem price cap, after prices rose sharply.
Great British Insulation Scheme closes to applications
The Great British Insulation Scheme closed to applications after the government declined to extend it beyond March 2026, ending supplier-funded insulation for lower council tax band homes.
Household Support Fund extended to end of March 2026
The Household Support Fund, extended in the Spring Budget, will run until the end of March 2026, with councils deciding how the money is spent locally.
Nest crisis route for boiler repair or replacement scheduled to end
The Welsh Government has confirmed that the one-off crisis route within its Warm Homes Nest scheme, which helps eligible households with no heating or hot water, currently runs only until March 2026.
Warm Home Discount Scheme to continue to winter 2030/31
The government will keep the Warm Home Discount running across Great Britain for five more winters, to 2030/31, and merge its two Core Groups in England and Wales.
Winter Fuel Payment scheme for Winter 2025-2026 closes
The Winter Fuel Payment scheme for Winter 2025-2026 has closed, with details of future schemes stated as becoming available later in 2026.
- February 2026
Forthcoming changes to OZEV grants from 1 April 2026 announced
The Office for Zero Emission Vehicles has set out changes to its electric vehicle chargepoint grants taking effect from 1 April 2026, with five schemes running to 31 March 2027.
OZEV home and workplace grants terms and conditions published on GOV.UK
The Office for Zero Emission Vehicles has published the terms and conditions covering customers, installers and installer representatives applying for or claiming its home and workplace grants.
Warm Home Discount costs to move from standing charges to unit rate
Ofgem has confirmed that Warm Home Discount costs will move from standing charges to the unit rate, cutting standing charges by an average of £13 for dual fuel customers from April.
Energy Saving Trust publishes response to Scottish Government equity loan call for evidence
Energy Saving Trust has published its response to a Scottish Government call for evidence, backing expansion of the Home Energy Efficiency Equity Loan Pilot into a nationwide support scheme.
Government response published confirming ECO4 Order amendment
The government has published its response to a consultation on amending the ECO4 Order, confirming that the Order will be changed to name the government grants from which ECO4 measures cannot receive money.
Northern Ireland announces Warm Healthy Homes Fund launching 2027
Northern Ireland's Department for Communities has opened a consultation on a Warm Healthy Homes Fund, due to launch in 2027 with £150 million of investment over its first five years.
Domestic battery installations resume under WH:SHF
Domestic battery installations alongside solar panels have resumed under the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund from 2 February 2026, after an interim solution was developed to fill a gap in product standards.
- January 2026
Government confirms Warm Home Discount continuation to 2030/31
The Government has confirmed the Warm Home Discount will run for a further five years to 2030/31, with a single Core Group in England and Wales and expanded eligibility in Scotland.
Warm Home Discount expanded to more people on means-tested benefits this year
The Warm Home Discount has expanded this year to include more people on certain means-tested benefits, the consumer body Which? has reported, setting out the £150 payment and other winter support.
House of Lords debates the Warm Homes Plan Statement
Peers debated the Warm Homes Plan on 27 January 2026, questioning its effect on bills, a six-month gap between schemes, solar supply chains and the running costs of heat pumps.
ECO4 extended to 31 December 2026
The government has extended the Energy Company Obligation to 31 December 2026 so suppliers can meet existing targets and put right non-compliant insulation installations.
Government response confirms ECO4 extended to 31 December 2026
The government has confirmed ECO4 will run for nine more months to 31 December 2026, with no extension to the Great British Insulation Scheme and no increase in supplier targets.
Welsh Government announces £98.75 million for next round of Optimised Retrofit Programme
The Welsh Government has announced £98.75 million for the next round of the Optimised Retrofit Programme, taking total investment in social housing energy efficiency since 2020 past £466 million.
BUS funding for 2026-2030 announced
Ofgem has confirmed the Boiler Upgrade Scheme will run to 2030, with funding for 2026 to 2030 announced on 21 January 2026 under the Warm Homes Plan and rule changes in force from 28 April 2026.
New warm homes agency to be established and Salix abolished
The government has set out a Warm Homes Plan allocating £15 billion, abolishing the ECO scheme and Salix, and creating a new warm homes agency to consolidate delivery functions.
Warm Homes Plan first published
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero published the Warm Homes Plan on 21 January 2026, a policy paper setting out how it intends to cut energy bills and upgrade homes.
First universal grants for heat batteries and air-to-air heat pumps announced
The Government has set out a £15 billion Warm Homes Plan, including a first universal £2,500 grant for heat batteries and air-to-air heat pumps alongside £7,500 for conventional heat pumps.
Government launches £15 billion Warm Homes Plan
The government has launched a £15 billion Warm Homes Plan to upgrade up to five million homes, cut bills and lift up to a million families out of fuel poverty by 2030.
Nesta analysis finds Warm Homes Plan could save households up to £1,000 on bills
Nesta analysis published on 20 January 2026 projects that a household adding a heat pump, solar panels and a battery under the Warm Homes Plan could cut its annual energy bill by about £1,000.
Crisis and Resilience Fund page first published
The Department for Work and Pensions has published guidance for the Crisis and Resilience Fund, a grant scheme running in England from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2029.
Consumer Scotland publishes response opposing moving Warm Home Discount costs to unit rate
Consumer Scotland has told the UK government not to move Warm Home Discount costs from standing charges to unit rates, saying higher-use households would pay more and the change should wait for Ofgem's wider review.
Consultation on WHD cost recovery closed
The government has confirmed that energy suppliers should recover Warm Home Discount costs from the unit rate rather than the standing charge from 1 April 2026, after a consultation that drew 778 responses.
Citizens Advice responds to consultation on amending ECO4 order for grant-funded cost recovery
Citizens Advice has backed amending the ECO4 order so suppliers are paid through Exchequer funding rather than higher bills, while warning that retrospective payments must not cut future fuel poverty funding.
Warm Homes Plan launched
The UK's Warm Homes Plan launched in January 2026 with £15 billion of public investment, covering grants, loans and supplier-funded schemes to upgrade homes across the UK.
BUS to include air-to-air heat pumps by early 2026
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme will pay £2,500 towards air-to-air heat pumps in domestic properties from early 2026, with heat batteries added later and the scheme extended to 2030.
Debt Relief Scheme to launch in early 2026
Ofgem has set the energy price cap for 1 January to 31 March 2026 and confirmed a Debt Relief Scheme for around 195,000 people on means-tested benefits will launch in early 2026.
ECO4 end date extended to 31 December 2026 with no additional funding
The Warm Homes Plan confirms ECO4 will run until 31 December 2026 rather than ending on 31 March, with no additional funding attached to the extension.
Funding confirmed to 2029/30 through the Warm Homes Plan
Government statistics confirm Boiler Upgrade Scheme funding runs to 2029/30 under the Warm Homes Plan, with £400 million allocated for 2026/27 and over £560 million paid out in the first four years.
Government consultation on continuing the Warm Home Discount concluded
A government consultation on continuing the Warm Home Discount has concluded, with changes to the scheme made in response from April 2026 onwards.
Government publishes Warm Homes Plan covering off-gas-grid homes
The January 2026 Warm Homes Plan set out its approach to homes off the gas grid under a rural communities heading, with Boiler Upgrade Scheme grants at the centre of the discussion.