Grants and Schemes news, page 8
- June 2025
Which? publishes response to DESNZ consultation on Boiler Upgrade Scheme and clean heat certification
Which? has published its response to the government's consultation on the Boiler Upgrade Scheme and clean heat certification, backing MCS as sole certifier and calling for regulation of third party agreements.
UK Government expands Winter Fuel Payment eligibility criteria
The UK Government announced in June 2025 that it was expanding the criteria for the Winter Fuel Payment, after the payment had been changed to a means-tested benefit in 2024.
ECIU analysis warns cutting Warm Homes Plan funding could cost households over £1.4 billion a year
ECIU analysis warns that limiting the Warm Homes Plan to 300,000 upgrades could leave 4.7 million households without average bill savings of around £300 a year.
Buildings Retrofit Pilot opens for applications
The West Midlands Combined Authority has opened its £167 million Buildings Retrofit Pilot to applications from councils, housing associations and public sector bodies, targeting up to 14,000 of the region's oldest and coldest homes.
Domestic batteries added as eligible measure under WH:SHF
Domestic batteries installed alongside solar panels became an eligible measure under the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund in June 2025, were paused that November, and can be installed again from 2 February 2026.
IGEM responds to Boiler Upgrade Scheme consultation Part 1
IGEM has told the government that hybrid heating systems should qualify for Boiler Upgrade Scheme grants, arguing the current exclusion is a missed opportunity, and that air-to-air heat pumps should not.
Ofgem proposes debt relief scheme opening in summer/autumn 2025 and closing in spring 2026
Ofgem has proposed a debt relief scheme for households that built up energy bill arrears during the energy crisis, open from summer or autumn 2025 to spring 2026.
Spending Review 2025 commits to the Warm Homes Plan
The 2025 Spending Review commits a further £13.2 billion to the Warm Homes Plan between 2025-26 and 2029-30, funding insulation, heating and solar upgrades intended to cut household bills.
Spending review announces Boiler Upgrade Scheme growth over four years
The June 2025 spending review confirmed that funding for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme will rise each year to 2029/30, as polling for a trade body found few households willing to pay the remaining cost of a heat pump.
Warm Home Discount expansion confirmed for winter 2025/26
The Government confirmed on 19 June 2025 that the Warm Home Discount would be expanded for winter 2025/26, removing the high-cost-to-heat test so that any household on a qualifying means-tested benefit is eligible.
- May 2025
E3G publishes briefing on economic case for Warm Homes Plan
E3G briefing says delivering the £13.2bn Warm Homes Plan would raise GDP, create 9,000 skilled jobs a year, cut bills for 3 million households and reduce gas imports.
Grant Aerona products approved under ECO4 Innovation
Three Grant Aerona air source heat pump products were approved under ECO4 innovation measure 037, with the date of approval given as 16 May 2025 in Ofgem's register.
Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund replaced with Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund
The Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund has been replaced by the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund, which funds local authorities and social housing landlords to improve energy performance in England.
Version 4 Statement of Intent withdrawn
Edinburgh City Council has withdrawn its 2024 Statement of Intent for ECO4 and GBIS flexible eligibility, replacing it with Version 5 and confirming the scheme closes in April 2026.
Committee recommends long-term retrofit funding to at least 2035
The Energy Security and Net Zero Committee has called on the Government to set out long-term funding for home retrofit running to at least 2035, warning that short-term schemes have failed to give households and installers confidence.
ECA and 53 businesses urge Government to honour £13.2bn Warm Homes Plan commitment
The Electrical Contractors' Association has joined 53 businesses and trade bodies in signing a letter urging the Government to honour its manifesto commitment to invest £13.2bn in the Warm Homes Plan.
- April 2025
Consultation on Boiler Upgrade Scheme amendments and clean heat certification opens
The government has opened a two-part consultation on changes to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme and on making MCS the sole certification scheme for clean heat installations.
Government announces consultation on expanding Boiler Upgrade Scheme and skills investment
The Government has opened a consultation on expanding the Boiler Upgrade Scheme and pledged up to 18,000 extra training places for retrofit installers, in an announcement welcomed by trade body NAPIT.
Which? responds to Government plans to expand home heating grant options
Which? has responded to government proposals to widen the options for home heating grants, saying they could help more consumers switch to sustainable heating and bring in more trustworthy installers.
Version 3 added smart thermostat scores
Ofgem has added scores for smart thermostat measures to Version 3 of the Great British Insulation Scheme scores matrix, the first time heating controls have carried scores under the scheme.
Committee on Fuel Poverty response to Warm Home Discount expansion consultation published
The Committee on Fuel Poverty has published its response to the government consultation on expanding the Warm Home Discount Scheme for 2025 to 2026, covering England, Scotland and Wales.
Energy Saving Trust publishes report on what the UK needs from the Warm Homes Plan
The Energy Saving Trust has published a five-pillar report setting out what the UK Government needs to do to deliver the Warm Homes Plan and its target of retrofitting five million homes.
Nesta and BIT publish trial findings on coordinated low-carbon heating offers
A trial of 5,525 UK homeowners finds that coordinated neighbourhood switching to low-carbon heating does not raise uptake on its own, but adding 0% interest financing does.
ECO4 and GBIS mid-scheme administration consultation opened
Ofgem opened a consultation on 7 April 2025 on how it will administer mid-scheme changes to ECO4 and the Great British Insulation Scheme, publishing its decision on 26 June 2025.
Government confirms mid-scheme changes to GBIS and ECO4
The government has confirmed mid-scheme changes to the Great British Insulation Scheme and ECO4, allowing two insulation measures per project and ECO4 delivery to count towards GBIS targets.
Ofgem publishes draft guidance update summary
Ofgem has published draft guidance and a consultation on how it will administer mid-scheme changes to ECO4 and the Great British Insulation Scheme, with responses due by 12 May 2025.
Over 44 million GBP of household energy efficiency funding announced
More than 44 million GBP has been allocated to cut emissions from buildings and help households save on energy bills, including 30 million GBP for three heat network projects.
Household Support Fund extended with additional GBP 842 million for England
An additional GBP 842 million is being granted in England to extend the Household Support Fund by another 12 months, with local authorities using the funding to assist vulnerable households.
Mayor signs decision approving £53,470,024 Warm Homes Local Grant funding
The Mayor of London has approved the receipt and spending of £53,470,024 of Warm Homes Local Grant funding from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero for delivery in London between 2025 and 2028.
Bristol City Council and Bristol City Leap publish Warm Homes Plan
Bristol City Council and Bristol City Leap have published a joint five-year action plan for decarbonising the city's homes, setting out their roles across social housing, private housing, new build, heat networks, skills and citizen involvement.