Grants and Schemes News: page 19
- February 2023
House of Lords committee letter describes Boiler Upgrade Scheme as 'seriously failing'
The House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee has told the government its Boiler Upgrade Scheme is seriously failing, citing cost, installer shortages and poor advice.
WMCA urges West Midlands residents to claim unclaimed energy bill vouchers
The West Midlands Combined Authority says more than 150,000 Energy Bills Support Scheme vouchers in the region are unclaimed, and the mayor has urged households to redeem them by 31 March 2023.
Which? reports 1.42 million energy support vouchers unclaimed
Government data published on 14 February 2023 shows 1.42 million Energy Bills Support Scheme vouchers issued to prepayment meter customers in October and November 2022 were never redeemed.
£200 Alternative Fuel Payments to off-gas-grid households begin
Households across Great Britain that do not use mains gas for heating began receiving £200 Alternative Fuel Payments automatically as credits on their electricity bills from 6 February 2023.
ECO4 Delivery Guidance version 1.1 published
Ofgem published version 1.1 of its ECO4 Delivery Guidance on 3 February 2023, adding and amending rules on eligibility, ECO4 Flex, projects, measures, scoring and administration.
First Winter Heating Payments due to be made
The Scottish Government has confirmed that the first payments of its new £50 Winter Heating Payment, which replaces the UK Cold Weather Payment in Scotland, will be made in February 2023.
Lords committee finds low grant funding holds back Boiler Upgrade Scheme uptake
A Lords committee inquiry into the Boiler Upgrade Scheme found low grant funding was one of the main factors holding back heat pump uptake and recommended raising the grant level.
Ofgem publishes ECO3 Final Determination Report
Ofgem's final report on the Energy Company Obligation 3 confirms suppliers exceeded the scheme's £8.25bn bill-saving target, while Co-operative Energy met only 36.4% of its own obligation.
Ofgem publishes ECO4 Innovation approved measures list V1.0
Ofgem has published version 1.0 of its list of approved innovation measures for ECO4, setting out the products, approval dates and uplift percentages suppliers can use under the scheme.
Winter Heating Payment launched in Scotland
Scotland's Winter Heating Payment replaced the Cold Weather Payment in February 2023, giving low-income households a guaranteed annual payment instead of one triggered by sustained cold weather.
- January 2023
Boiler Upgrade Scheme open to England and Wales applicants
Householders in England and Wales can apply for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, a non-means-tested grant of £5,000 towards an air source heat pump or £6,000 towards a ground source heat pump.
95 organisations call on Chancellor to introduce an energy social tariff
Ninety-five charities and non-profit organisations have written to the Chancellor calling for a social tariff, as a new Fuel Poverty Monitor warns of rising fuel poverty from April 2023.
Citizens Advice responds to the BEIS ECO+ consultation
Citizens Advice has told the government its ECO+ energy efficiency scheme, with a £1bn budget over three years and a 410,000 household target, could be far more ambitious.
BEIS starts making EBSS payments in Northern Ireland
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy began paying Energy Bills Support Scheme grants in Northern Ireland in January 2023, three months after payments started in Great Britain.
Cashback scheme to be replaced by grant scheme in 2022/23
The Scottish Government has confirmed that the Home Energy Scotland loan and cashback arrangements will be replaced in 2022/23 by a grant scheme for energy efficiency and zero emissions heat improvements.
Government announces cut in fuel poverty support for next winter
The Government has announced reduced financial support for households in fuel poverty in 2023/24, with energy bills set to rise from 1 April 2023 as the Energy Bills Support Scheme ends.
Responsive Retrofit pilot launched
The Responsive Retrofit pilot, run by Clarion Futures and launched in 2023, combined money guidance, energy advice and small efficiency measures for tenants, with an evaluation published in 2025.
- December 2022
UK government confirms voucher delivery for £600 Northern Ireland energy bill support
The UK government has confirmed that around 500,000 Northern Ireland households without direct debits will receive £600 energy bill support as vouchers issued from mid-January 2023.
Government confirms £600 single payment for Northern Ireland households and £200 Alternative Fuel Payment for Great Britain
The government has confirmed a single £600 payment for all Northern Ireland households and a £200 Alternative Fuel Payment for Great Britain homes using fuels such as heating oil, with payments starting in January 2023.
BEIS opens consultation on the design of the ECO+ scheme for 2023 to 2026
BEIS opened a consultation on 6 December 2022 on the design of the ECO+ energy efficiency scheme for 2023 to 2026, a £1bn programme aimed at households outside existing fuel poverty support.
Enhanced Home Energy Scotland support launched
From 2 December 2022 homeowners in Scotland can claim a standalone Home Energy Scotland grant of £7,500 for heat pumps or energy efficiency work, with an extra £1,500 for rural homes.
HES Grant and Loan scheme launched
The Scottish Government launched the Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan scheme in December 2022, replacing cashback with a standalone grant of up to £7,500 for clean heating and up to £7,500 for energy efficiency.
BEIS minister confirms £200 Domestic Alternative Fuel Payment timing
A BEIS minister has told MPs the £200 Domestic Alternative Fuel Payment will be paid in the New Year, with most households receiving it through their electricity bills.
Octopus doubles Octo Assist hardship fund to £15m
Octopus Energy has doubled its Octo Assist hardship fund to £15 million, after earlier increases from £5 million to £7 million, as suppliers expand discretionary support for customers.
Renewable Heat Incentive ended
The Renewable Heat Incentive closed in 2022 and was replaced by the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, which pays a one-off grant towards the upfront cost of a heat pump in England and Wales.
- November 2022
Citizens Advice responds to ECO+ scheme and Help for Households campaign expansion
Citizens Advice has welcomed extra funding for energy efficiency measures under the ECO+ scheme but says an energy saving campaign must be matched by continued financial support for households in crisis.
Household Support Fund extended to 31 March 2024
The Autumn Statement of 17 November 2022 added £1 billion to the Household Support Fund, extending it in England by twelve months to 31 March 2024.
EPG NI scheme confirmed already in force
Lord Callanan told the Lords Grand Committee on 16 November 2022 that the energy price guarantee Northern Ireland scheme is already in force, as regulations defining domestic supply were considered.
Scottish Government responds to Heat Pump Sector Deal Expert Advisory Group Recommendation 4
The Scottish Government has set out how it will fund heat pump installation in Scotland, citing £1.8 billion for heat and energy efficiency and a £42 million standalone grant scheme.
Scottish Government responds to Recommendation 12 on fabric energy efficiency support
The Scottish Government has confirmed a £15,000 maximum for energy efficiency measures under the Home Energy Scotland Loan and Cashback scheme and committed to replacing cashback with a standalone grant.