Grants and Schemes News: page 8
- April 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.
Government launches consultation on expanding the Boiler Upgrade Scheme
The government has opened a consultation on widening the Boiler Upgrade Scheme to cover air-to-air heat pumps and heat batteries, and to allow third-party ownership finance alongside grants.
Warm Homes: Local Grant date noted
Government guidance confirms the Warm Homes: Local Grant delivery window opened on 1 April 2025, with £500 million allocated to local authorities in England to fund energy efficiency measures and low carbon heating.
- March 2025
Boiler Upgrade Scheme scheduled to close
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme reaches its scheduled end on 31 March 2025, closing a three-year, £450m grant programme that paid up to £6,000 towards low carbon heating in England and Wales.
Deadline for claiming Winter Fuel Payment not paid automatically
The Department for Work and Pensions says eligible pensioners whose Winter Fuel Payment does not arrive automatically must claim it by 31 March 2025, after a winter of backdated claims.
Trust responds to Warm Home Discount expansion consultation
The British Gas Energy Trust has endorsed plans to widen the Warm Home Discount and scrap the high-cost-to-heat threshold, but warns 55% of fuel-poor households will still miss out on the £150 rebate.
Consumer Scotland responds to DESNZ consultation on expanding the Warm Home Discount Scheme 2025-26
Consumer Scotland has backed plans to widen the Park Homes Warm Home Discount to households that do not pay suppliers directly, but says the expansion needs new money rather than funds taken from energy advice work.
UK Power Networks announces partnerships to reduce fuel poverty for over half a million people by 2028
UK Power Networks is funding four not-for-profit organisations to deliver tailored support to vulnerable customers, aiming to reduce fuel poverty for more than half a million people by 2028.
Expression of interest window closed and funding allocated to eligible local authorities
The Warm Homes: Local Grant expression of interest window has closed, and every eligible English local authority that applied by the deadline has been allocated funding from the £500 million scheme.
Government allocates £1.8 billion to Warm Homes Plan
The government has allocated £1.8 billion under its Warm Homes Plan to fund energy efficiency upgrades in up to 170,000 low income households and social housing properties in England.
£400 million energy efficiency grant to launch in 2025
A £400 million energy efficiency grant for households in England will launch in 2025, the government has confirmed, with the scheme's design and name still to be announced.
BUS to close to new applicants after 2024/25
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme's final impact assessment states the scheme will have closed to new applicants after 2024/25, with £450 million committed over three years from spring 2022.
ECA and eight trade associations call for Warm Homes Plan funding
The Electrical Contractors' Association and eight trade associations representing 4,000 businesses have urged the government to honour its Warm Homes Plan funding commitment.
SY14 scheme year closes with record delivery and an overspend against budget
Ofgem's annual report shows suppliers delivered £595.2 million of Warm Home Discount support in scheme year 14, £18.2 million above the £577 million budget, with 3.41 million rebates issued.
- February 2025
Consultation on expanding the Warm Home Discount Scheme 2025 to 2026 published
The government has confirmed it will extend the Warm Home Discount in England and Wales to all households on means-tested benefits, but has dropped plans to widen the Park Homes scheme.
Government consults on expanding the Warm Home Discount
The government has opened a consultation on expanding the Warm Home Discount, proposing to bring around 2.7 million more households into the £150 scheme from next winter.
Government extends Warm Home Discount Scheme
Ofgem has confirmed the energy price cap will rise 6 per cent to £1,849 a year from April 2025, and noted a government extension to the Warm Home Discount Scheme.
Warmer Homes London launched by the Mayor in partnership with London Councils
Warmer Homes London launched on 7 February 2025, a Mayor of London and London Councils scheme using the Warm Homes: Local Grant to improve energy efficiency in homes across 31 boroughs.
Ofgem publishes response to ECO4 and GBIS mid-scheme changes consultation
Ofgem has published its response to the government's consultation on mid-scheme changes to the Energy Company Obligation 4 and the Great British Insulation Scheme.
DESNZ consulted on proposals to expand the Warm Home Discount scheme
The government consulted in February 2025 on expanding the Warm Home Discount, a £150 electricity bill rebate, and confirmed in June that the wider eligibility rules would apply from winter 2025/26.
PCA and HOA call on government to review spray foam in schemes
The Property Care Association and Home Owners Alliance have asked the government to review whether spray foam insulation should stay within government insulation schemes, citing continuing problems for homeowners.
- January 2025
DESNZ announced a further £25 million, increasing the BUS Year 3 budget from £150 million to £205 million
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero added £25 million to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme's third-year budget on 30 January 2025, taking it to £205 million, with permission to over-allocate vouchers to £280 million.
West Midlands Mayor launches £167 million energy efficiency fund
The West Midlands Combined Authority has announced a £167 million energy efficiency fund to upgrade up to 14,000 low-income homes and spend £36 million on public buildings.
Lords debate on ECO4 and insulation schemes
Peers pressed the government on 29 January over suspended installers, who pays for repairs if firms fail, and how 65,000 households will be told about faulty solid wall insulation.
Nest publishes 2023-24 annual report
Nest has published its 2023-24 annual report, showing 4,816 Welsh households received home energy improvement packages and 12,809 received free energy saving advice.
Welsh Government sets out fuel poverty measures in written statement
Jane Hutt's 27 January written statement sets out Welsh Government fuel poverty spending on benefit take-up, crisis funds, fuel vouchers and the Warm Homes Nest scheme, and renews calls for standing charge reform.
DESNZ issues statement about potential issues with ECO and GBIS installations
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has issued a statement on potential problems with Energy Company Obligation and Great British Insulation Scheme installations, Ofgem has confirmed.