Grants and Schemes news, page 10
- January 2025
Air-to-air heat pumps become eligible for government grants
Nesta reports that air-to-air heat pumps are now eligible for government grants, with typical installation costs from £2,400 in a one bedroom flat to £8,800 in a four bedroom house.
Nesta publishes data-driven FAQ on heat pump grant eligibility
Nesta has published a data-driven FAQ setting out the heat pump grants and loans available across the UK as of January 2025, including £7,500 grants in England, Wales and Scotland.
Government plans to almost double Boiler Upgrade Scheme budget for the next financial year
The Minister for Energy Consumers said the Boiler Upgrade Scheme budget will be almost doubled in the next financial year, as industry data showed record renewable installations in 2024.
Trust highlights open energy debt grant funds for winter
The British Gas Energy Trust has highlighted two open energy debt funds offering grants of up to £2,000 to British Gas and non-British Gas customers in England, Scotland and Wales this winter.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme budget almost doubled to £296m
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme budget for grant vouchers will almost double to £296m next financial year, with an extra £30m added this year and planning rules for air source heat pumps relaxed.
DESNZ increased the BUS Year 3 budget to £205 million with permission to over-allocate to £280 million
The government raised the Boiler Upgrade Scheme's Year 3 budget twice, from £150 million to £205 million, and allowed Ofgem to over-allocate vouchers up to £280 million.
- December 2024
Deadline for pension credit applications to be backdated for this year's Winter Fuel Payment
Pension credit claims must be submitted by 21 December 2024 to be backdated, the route by which households not already on means-tested benefits can still qualify for this winter's Winter Fuel Payment.
Consultation on ECO4 and GBIS mid-scheme changes closes
The National Insulation Association has answered a government consultation on mid-scheme changes to ECO4 and the Great British Insulation Scheme, which closed on 12 December 2024.
Ofgem publishes consultation on a debt relief scheme for energy debt accrued during the energy crisis
Ofgem has opened a consultation on a one-off, time limited debt relief scheme for energy debt built up during the energy crisis, with responses due by 6 February 2025.
British Gas Energy Trust publishes 2024 Impact Report marking 20 years
The British Gas Energy Trust has published its 2024 Impact Report, covering 2023/24 and 20 years of work on fuel poverty, with £16.3 million in support for more than 64,000 clients.
Ofgem consults on delivery, funding and eligibility options for an energy debt relief scheme
Ofgem has opened a consultation on whether to create an energy debt relief scheme, setting out delivery, audit, funding and eligibility options for support aimed at crisis-era arrears.
Ofgem consults on a one-off Energy Debt Relief Scheme
Ofgem consulted in December 2024 on a one-off Energy Debt Relief Scheme that could support up to 2.3 million customers and write off between £0.5bn and £1bn of crisis-era energy debt.
New phase of Warm Home Prescription launched with SGN and Fuel Bank Foundation
Energy Systems Catapult has launched a new phase of its Warm Home Prescription service with SGN and the Fuel Bank Foundation, offering energy credits of up to £245 to eligible households in Scotland and southern England.
So Energy introduces 0% finance option for solar installations
So Energy has introduced a 0% finance option that lets customers spread the cost of a solar installation, the supplier said in a December 2024 article on solar panel costs.
Winter Heating Payments to be paid from December 2024
Winter Heating Payments of £58.75 will be paid automatically from December 2024 to people in Scotland receiving certain benefits, alongside Child Winter Heating Payments and the Warm Home Discount.
- November 2024
Which? reports heat pumps can be cheapest way to heat a home with grants and specialist tariffs
Which? has reported that combining the Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant with specialist heat pump tariffs can make heat pumps the cheapest way to heat a home, with savings of up to £560 a year.
WH:SHF Wave 3 application window closes
The application window for Wave 3 of the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund closed at midday on 25 November 2024, ending bidding for a scheme originally allocated £1.29bn for social housing retrofit in England.
£500 million allocated to Warm Homes: Local Grant in Autumn Budget
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has allocated £500 million from the Autumn Budget to the Warm Homes: Local Grant, for delivery in England from 2025 to 2028.
DESNZ announces further £30 million for BUS in 2024/25, raising Year 3 budget to £180 million
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has added £30 million to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme for 2024/25, taking the Year 3 budget to £180 million.
DESNZ announces measures to support low-carbon heating
DESNZ has added £30 million to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme this financial year, set a reformed Clean Heat Market Mechanism for 1 April 2025 and removed the one metre boundary rule for air source heat pumps in England.
Government announces BUS budget increase to £295 million for 2025/26
The government has almost doubled the Boiler Upgrade Scheme budget to £295 million for 2025/26, up from £205 million in 2024/25, as part of wider plans to grow the heat pump market.
Government announces Warm Homes Plan steps with boosted heat pump funding and planning reform
The government has set out the first steps of its Warm Homes Plan, boosting Boiler Upgrade Scheme funding, removing the one metre heat pump planning rule in England and reforming the Clean Heat Market Mechanism.
Total funding available for local authorities announced
The government has announced the total funding available to local authorities for the Warm Homes: Local Grant, a £500 million scheme to upgrade low-income homes in England from 2025.
EAS writes to the First Minister urging reinstatement of the Fuel Insecurity Fund
Energy Action Scotland has written to the First Minister asking him to restore the Fuel Insecurity Fund, worth £30 million last year, in next month's Scottish budget.
NGN launches free CO alarm giveaway for CO Awareness Week
Northern Gas Networks is giving away up to 2,000 free carbon monoxide alarms from 18 November 2024 until 28 February 2025, after its research found only 37 per cent of people in its regions have a working alarm.
Welsh Government announces additional £700,000 for Fuel Bank Foundation schemes
The Welsh Government has added £700,000 to Fuel Bank Foundation fuel voucher and Heat Fund schemes, bringing support for 2024/25 to £1.2m for households that pre-pay for energy.
Energy Bills and the Price CapScotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
DESNZ publishes ECO4 and GBIS mid-scheme changes consultation
DESNZ has opened a consultation on mid-scheme changes to ECO4 and the Great British Insulation Scheme, covering installation standards, guarantees and a proposed Pay-For-Performance mechanism.
ECO4A insulation measures per property rules applied retrospectively
Amendments to the Energy Company Obligation orders limit insulation measures per property and apply retrospectively to installations completed on or after 14th November 2024, under an order made on 31st July 2025.
Legislation to allow combined loft and cavity wall insulation and smart thermostats in GBIS from consultation publication date
The government has confirmed it will legislate to let Great British Insulation Scheme projects install two insulation measures together and fit smart thermostats in low-income homes, backdated to 14 November 2024.
Solid floor and underfloor insulation became installable together under GBIS
Ofgem has confirmed that solid floor insulation and underfloor insulation can be installed together in the same Great British Insulation Scheme retrofit, under rules it says apply from 14 November 2024.