Grants and Schemes News: page 14
- December 2023
British Gas Energy Trust launches White Goods Fund for England and Wales
The British Gas Energy Trust has opened a White Goods Fund giving refrigerators, freezers, electric cookers and washing machines to clients in or facing fuel poverty in England and Wales.
Additional £1.5 billion announced for Boiler Upgrade Scheme until 2028
An extra £1.5 billion has been allocated to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme until 2028, funding around 200,000 further vouchers for homeowners in England and Wales.
Government confirms VAT relief expansion for battery storage, water-source heat pumps and diverters
The government has confirmed that electrical battery storage, water-source heat pumps and diverters will qualify for zero-rate VAT relief on installation from 1 February 2024 across the United Kingdom.
Outcome published: VAT energy saving materials relief to be expanded
HMRC has published the outcome of its call for evidence on VAT relief for energy saving materials, confirming an expanded zero rate from 1 February 2024 and a list of newly qualifying technologies.
Summary of responses to VAT energy-saving materials Call for Evidence published
The government published its summary of responses to the Call for Evidence on VAT relief for energy-saving materials on 11 December 2023, drawing 125 responses and setting out reforms that took effect on 1 February 2024.
UK Government increased BUS grant funding level
The UK Government raised the level of grant funding available through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme in December 2023, taking the heat pump grant to £7,500.
Version 2.4 of the BUS property owner guidance issued
Ofgem has issued version 2.4 of its Boiler Upgrade Scheme guidance for property owners, adding paragraphs on new digital cancel and re-apply and file upload features.
Warm Home Discount scheme confirmed to run until at least March 2026
The government has confirmed the Warm Home Discount will run until at least March 2026, a further three winters, and more suppliers must now take part in the £150 scheme.
Warm Home Discount scheme extended to smaller energy suppliers
The customer threshold for compulsory participation in the Warm Home Discount has been cut from 50,000 to 1,000, bringing smaller energy suppliers into the scheme from this winter.
White Goods Scheme launched as a pilot in England and Wales
The British Gas Energy Trust has reported that its White Goods Scheme, piloted in England and Wales from December 2023, has supported an estimated 19,435 people across Britain.
Zero rating for BESS installation announced in December 2023
VAT on domestic battery energy storage systems was cut to zero from 1 February 2024, following a December 2023 announcement and a campaign by Solar Energy UK and parliamentarians.
- November 2023
Boiler Upgrade Scheme applications tripled after grant increased to £7,500
Applications to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme reached 1,150 in the first week after the grant rose to £7,500, more than three times the previous weekly average, the government said on 30 November 2023.
Bristol City Council publishes V.3.1 Statement of Intent for ECO4 and Great British Insulation Scheme Flex
Bristol City Council has published version 3.1 of its flexible eligibility Statement of Intent for ECO4 and the Great British Insulation Scheme, setting out four routes and seven proxies for identifying eligible households.
Energy Bill Support Scheme ends
The government's £400 Energy Bill Support Scheme has ended, with analysis published the same day finding poorly insulated homes will pay over £400 more to heat than homes at the government's efficiency target.
Green Heat Finance Taskforce publishes part 1 report
The independent Green Heat Finance Taskforce has published part one of its report, setting out finance options for Scottish property owners to cover the upfront cost of replacing polluting heating with clean heat.
Consumer Scotland publishes briefing on winter energy bill support options ahead of the Autumn Statement
Consumer Scotland has published a briefing on options for targeted winter energy bill support, arguing for help through the prepayment meter Energy Price Guarantee and setting out drawbacks of the Warm Home Discount in Scotland.
Cold Weather Payment scheme for 2023 to 2024 opens
The Cold Weather Payment scheme for 2023 to 2024 opened in November 2023, paying £25 for each seven-day period of very cold weather in England and Wales until 31 March 2024.
Government declines Emergency Energy Tariff and help to repay schemes in Autumn Statement
The Chancellor's Autumn Statement declined charity proposals for an Emergency Energy Tariff and ruled out a help to repay scheme, as Ofgem confirmed a 5% January price cap rise.
Green Heat Finance Taskforce report published
The Green Heat Finance Taskforce published its first report in November 2023, setting out finance products intended to spread the upfront cost of heat and energy efficiency work in Scottish buildings.
Warm Homes Network pilot launches in Cumbria
A fuel poverty initiative bringing utilities, charities, councils and technology firms together began a Cumbria pilot in November 2023, supporting up to 100 vulnerable households, after an earlier Birmingham pilot.
- October 2023
Boiler Upgrade Scheme extended by 3 years to 2028
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme will pay £7,500 towards a heat pump from today and now runs to 2028, three years longer than planned, the government has announced.
Which? responds to government's improved heat pump grant and energy efficiency campaign launch
Which? has welcomed the government's increase to heat pump grants and the launch of a home energy efficiency awareness campaign, saying cost and low awareness hold consumers back.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme heat pump grants increased by 50% to £7,500
Air source heat pump grants under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme rose from £5,000 to £7,500 and ground source grants from £6,000 to £7,500 from 23 October 2023, with the scheme extended to 2028.
Citizens Advice responds to DESNZ consultation on Boiler Upgrade Scheme amendments
Citizens Advice has told the government it welcomes the £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant uplift but opposes cuts to grants for some households and wants the scheme's overall budget clarified.
Pensioners to get up to £600 Winter Fuel Payment this year
The British Gas Energy Trust has set out Winter Fuel Payment amounts of £250 to £600 for older people across the UK, including an extra Pensioner Cost of Living Payment of £150 to £300.
Warm Home Discount scheme opens for applications
The Warm Home Discount opened for applications on 16 October 2023 for households in Great Britain that must apply to their supplier or prove eligibility, as National Energy Action warned of repeat missed payments.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme consultation closes
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme consultation closed on 12 October 2023 with 205 responses, and the government set out its decisions on grant levels and eligibility in March 2024.
New phase of Warmer Homes Scotland launched
The Scottish Government launched a new phase of Warmer Homes Scotland on 2 October 2023, shifting the national fuel poverty scheme towards clean heating where it is financially and technically feasible.
Successor Warmer Homes Scotland programme launched under the same name
The successor to Warmer Homes Scotland launched on 2 October 2023 under the same name, with a maximum contract value of up to £728 million over up to seven years and higher grant limits per household.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme extended until 2028
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme has been extended by three years to 2028 and its heat pump grants raised to £7,500, the government announced on 23 October 2023.