Grants and Schemes news, page 25
- February 2022
Government announces GBP350 support package for energy bills
The Chancellor has announced support claimed to be worth GBP350 against energy bills, much of it repayable, as Ofgem confirmed the price cap will rise by 54% in April.
Qualifying week moved from September to early November
The Scottish Government has proposed moving the Winter Heating Payment qualifying week from September to early November so the £50 payment follows sooner after eligibility is assessed.
SHDF wave 1 awarded £179 million to 69 projects
Wave 1 of the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund awarded £179 million to 69 projects in February 2022, upgrading up to 20,000 social housing properties across England.
Winter Fuel Support Scheme payment doubled to £200
The Welsh Government has doubled its Winter Fuel Support Scheme payment from £100 to £200, available to new applicants and paid retrospectively to households that have already received the lower amount.
- January 2022
Consultation deadline on Ofgem's administration of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme
Ofgem's consultation on how it will run the Boiler Upgrade Scheme closed on 27 January 2022, covering the technical administration of the grant rather than who qualifies for it.
Consultation on Ofgem's administration of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme closes
Ofgem's consultation on how it will run the Boiler Upgrade Scheme closed on 27 January 2022, with a decision published and the scheme due to launch in Spring 2022.
CIPHE publishes consumer advice on the Winter Fuel Payment for winter 2021 to 2022
The Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering has published consumer advice on the 2021 to 2022 Winter Fuel Payment, setting out who qualifies, how much is paid and a claiming deadline of 31 March 2022.
NEA Northern Ireland welcomes launch of DfC Emergency Fuel Payment Scheme but says £2M budget falls short
National Energy Action Northern Ireland has welcomed the Department for Communities Emergency Fuel Payment Scheme for 20,000 households but says its £2 million budget falls far short of what is needed.
E3G briefing argues ECO must stay and ECO4 uplift must not be suspended
E3G has published a briefing arguing that cutting the Energy Company Obligation or suspending the planned ECO4 uplift would harm households, cost 30,000 jobs and block statutory fuel poverty targets.
REA drafts member response to Ofgem BUS administration consultation
The REA has drafted a member response to Ofgem's consultation on how the Boiler Upgrade Scheme will be administered, with member feedback due by 24 January 2022.
Citizens Advice responds to BEIS consultation on market-based mechanism for low-carbon heat
Citizens Advice has told BEIS that the Boiler Upgrade Scheme needs wider financial support, a single mandatory accreditation body and clearer guidance for manufacturers if low-carbon heat is to work for households.
NEA NI urges release of funding for broader fuel poverty support package
National Energy Action Northern Ireland has written to the Minister calling for funding to be released for a broader package of support, saying the £2M Emergency Fuel Payment Scheme falls short.
Renewable Heat Incentive ended, replaced by Boiler Upgrade Scheme
The Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive closed at the end of March 2022 and the Boiler Upgrade Scheme took its place, offering upfront grants of £5,000 or £6,000 towards heat pumps in England and Wales.