Your Type of Home news from 2025
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- December 2025
NGN reports Centres for Warmth supporting thousands across the North of England this winter
Northern Gas Networks has marked a second winter of its Centres for Warmth programme, saying 20 funded community hubs have given thousands of people across the North of England warm space and energy advice.
E.ON Next announces partnership with Allume to bring shared solar to flats
E.ON Next has announced a partnership with Australian cleantech firm Allume to offer SolShare shared rooftop solar to blocks of flats, targeting social housing providers and new build developers.
Committee on Fuel Poverty response to Warm Home Discount consultation published
The Committee on Fuel Poverty has published its response to the government consultation on continuing the Warm Home Discount Scheme, covering England, Scotland and Wales.
SSEN Distribution announces partnership with Asthma + Lung UK
SSEN Distribution has announced a partnership with Asthma + Lung UK to raise awareness of free Priority Services support for people with lung conditions during power cuts.
UK Power Networks launches Home Energy Saver website
UK Power Networks has launched Home Energy Saver, a website giving households personalised energy-saving plans, financial support information and two calculators for grants and appliance use.
Cumberland Council reports Warm Homes initiative savings and scheme dates
Cumberland Council reports 589 households approved for free energy-saving home improvements under ECO4 Flex between August 2024 and October 2025, with 387 homes upgraded and average annual bill savings of £1,516.
Citizens Advice, IPPR and Policy in Practice publish blueprint for targeted bill support
Citizens Advice, IPPR and Policy in Practice have published a blueprint for targeted bill support across water, motor insurance, energy and broadband, which they say could give an eligible household discounts of over £950 a year.
Welsh Government committed £1.5 million to warm hubs
The Welsh Government has committed £1.5 million in its 2025 to 2026 budget to support more than 400 warm hubs across Wales, building on £4 million of investment since 2022.
- November 2025
JRF briefing proposes rising block tariff funded by taxation and network profits levy
The Joseph Rowntree Foundation has published modelling showing a rising block tariff funded by taxation and a levy on network profits would cut the median household energy bill by £150 a year.
British Gas Energy Trust hosted London Disability Summit
British Gas Energy Trust hosted the London Disability Summit, bringing policy, regulatory and delivery leaders together to discuss targeted action for disabled and vulnerable people, including closing the fuel poverty gap.
Budget scraps ECO funding mechanism and adds Warm Homes Plan funding
The Budget ended the levy that funded the Energy Company Obligation and added £1.5 billion to the Warm Homes Plan, taking the parliamentary commitment to £14.7 billion.
Connected for Warmth insulation programme ran from March 2023 to November 2025
Agility has reported that its Connected for Warmth insulation scheme, backed by the National Grid energy efficiency fund, ran from March 2023 to November 2025 and insulated thousands of homes in England and Wales.
Social rented sector regulations came into force
Electrical safety rules for social housing landlords in England came into force on 1 November 2025, extending duties already applied to private rented homes.
- October 2025
Government response to Part 2 of the consultation published
The government has confirmed that MCS will become the sole certification scheme for clean heat installations under four grant schemes, publishing its response to Part 2 of a consultation on 31 October 2025.
Awaab's Law comes into force
Awaab's Law came into force on 27 October 2025, requiring social landlords in England to investigate damp and mould reports within 10 working days and make homes safe.
Citizens Advice publishes research on low-income homeowners and retrofit
Citizens Advice research published on 23 October 2025 finds upfront cost and perceived risk deter low-income homeowners in England and Wales from energy efficiency upgrades, and sets out design considerations for future schemes.
Let's Talk Energy Fund opens for 2025-26
Charis has opened the Let's Talk Energy Fund for 2025-26, offering up to two free energy-efficient appliances and advice to households struggling with energy bills.
Awaab's Law comes into effect for social landlords
Awaab's Law came into force in October 2025, requiring social landlords to investigate and resolve damp and mould in homes within set time periods.
Warm Homes Plan full details expected from DESNZ
The full Warm Homes Plan is not expected from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero until October 2025, with £13.2 billion committed across this parliament.
- September 2025
Energy Systems Catapult publishes ISS insights on vulnerable consumers and energy flexibility
Energy Systems Catapult reports that 69 per cent of the UK population has at least one characteristic that raises the likelihood of exclusion from smart energy flexibility, based on a survey of 4,894 people.
Consultation on a Reformed Decent Homes Standard closed
The consultation on a Reformed Decent Homes Standard for social and privately rented homes closed on 10 September 2025, with CIBSE submitting a response that backs the direction but questions key metrics.
Energy Saving Trust publishes consultation response on social rented sector energy efficiency standards
The Energy Saving Trust has published its response to the UK Government consultation on minimum energy efficiency standards for socially rented homes in England, backing EPC C by 2030 but seeking changes to exemptions and cost caps.
Grand Committee considers Warm Home Discount (Amendment) Regulations 2025
The Lords Grand Committee has agreed regulations expanding the Warm Home Discount, removing the high cost to heat threshold so that around 2.7 million more households qualify for the £150 rebate this winter.
- August 2025
Consultation on extending the ECO4 end date opens
The government has opened a consultation on extending the ECO4 energy efficiency scheme beyond its 31 March 2026 end date, proposing an extension of between six and nine months.
Consultation on private rented sector energy efficiency standards closes
The Scottish Government consultation on draft minimum energy efficiency standards for privately rented homes closed on 29 August 2025, with responses from Home Energy Scotland, the National Insulation Association and the Energy Saving Trust.
PRS Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards consultation closes
The Scottish Government's consultation on a Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard for privately rented homes closed on 29 August 2025, with regulations planned for October 2026.
Government issues reminder to Warm Home Discount eligible households
The government has told households eligible for the Warm Home Discount to check the right person is named on their electricity account by Sunday 24 August to receive £150 automatically.
Resolution Foundation publishes research on how the Warm Homes Plan should target spending
The Resolution Foundation says the £13.2 billion Warm Homes Plan should target grants by household income and spend on insulation and solar rather than heat pumps.
Welsh Government budgets £35 million for Nest scheme this financial year
The Welsh Government has budgeted £35 million this financial year for the Warm Homes Nest scheme, published alongside figures showing 340,000 Welsh households in fuel poverty in October 2024.
British Gas Energy Trust reopens Individuals and Families Fund
The British Gas Energy Trust has reopened its Individuals and Families Fund, offering up to £1,700 towards energy debt for households on prepayment or credit accounts with suppliers that run no scheme of their own.
HEETSA and PRS MEES consultations closed
Two Scottish Government consultations, one on a proposed Heat and Energy Efficiency Technical Suitability Assessment and one on a private rented sector minimum energy efficiency standard, closed at the end of August 2025.
- July 2025
Government opens consultation on updating the Decent Homes Standard
The government consulted from 2 July to 10 September 2025 on updating the Decent Homes Standard and extending it to private rented homes in England.
Council publishes Statement of Intent for ECO4 and GBIS
West Lindsey District Council has published its July 2025 Statement of Intent setting out the full eligibility criteria for ECO4 and the Great British Insulation Scheme Flex routes.
Eligibility criteria for Warmer Homes Scotland widened
The Scottish Government has widened the eligibility criteria for Warmer Homes Scotland, so more households can qualify for energy-saving improvements and previous unsuccessful applicants may now be successful.
- June 2025
Warm Homes: Local Grant funding opens via Oxfordshire County Council
Oxfordshire County Council is now accepting applications for the Warm Homes: Local Grant, offering fully funded energy efficiency upgrades to low income households at risk of fuel poverty.
Energy Systems Catapult publishes report on accelerating energy improvements in the private rental sector
Energy Systems Catapult has published a report calling for outcome-based minimum energy efficiency standards, local one-stop retrofit shops, tailored financing and a digital building passport for privately rented homes.
Chancellor confirms £13.2 billion for warm homes plan
The Chancellor confirmed £13.2 billion for the Warm Homes Plan at the June 2025 spending review, covering home energy efficiency spending from 2025-26 to 2029-30.
PRS Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards consultation opens
The Scottish Government has consulted on regulations that would require privately rented homes in Scotland to reach EPC Heat Retention Rating band C from 2028 for new tenancies and by 2033 for all lets.
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.
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.
- May 2025
Permitted development rights for heat pumps relaxed in England
Changes to permitted development rights in England from 29 May 2025 removed the one metre boundary rule, raised the size limit to 1.5m3 and allowed two heat pumps on detached houses.
Consultation closed on improving the energy performance of privately rented homes
The government consultation on raising minimum energy efficiency standards for privately rented homes in England and Wales closed on 2 May 2025, with 1,920 responses received.
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.
New electrical safety check laws come into force for social rented homes in England
Five-yearly electrical safety inspections became mandatory in England's social rented homes on 1 May, with social landlords facing fines of up to £40,000 for non-compliance.
- April 2025
Which? launches heat pump cost savings calculator
Which? has released an online calculator showing how pairing a heat pump with a specialist electricity tariff can cut annual running costs by hundreds of pounds compared with a gas boiler.
New homes sector publishes initial Net Zero Transition Plan
The Future Homes Hub and the Carbon Trust have published an initial Net Zero Transition Plan for new homes, backed by committed homebuilders and two new implementation boards.
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.
Resolution Foundation publishes report on home heating transition for low-income households
The Resolution Foundation finds heat pump installation is slow and skewed to wealthier areas, with most households facing slightly higher bills after switching from a gas boiler.
Citizens Advice responds to the fuel poverty strategy consultation for England
Citizens Advice has backed the retention of England's 2030 fuel poverty target and called for a second affordability measure alongside the existing LILEE metric.
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.
Restriction on re-letting below EPC band D begins
Social landlords in Scotland should not re-let social housing below EPC band D from December 2025, under guidance supporting the Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing post 2020.
Study finds UK homes overheating has soared from 18% to 80%
A study published in April 2025 found the proportion of UK homes experiencing overheating rose from 18% in 2011 to 80%, with 4.5 million adults made unwell by heat at home.
- 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.
E3G publishes report on enforcing energy efficiency standards for private renters in England and Wales
E3G has published a report finding that enforcement of energy efficiency standards for private renters in England and Wales is undermined by underfunding, weak legislation and inaccessible data.
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.
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.
- February 2025
Citizens Advice responds to government consultation on reforms to the Energy Performance of Buildings regime
Citizens Advice has responded to the government's consultation on reforming the Energy Performance of Buildings regime, backing a five-year EPC validity period and stronger private rented sector requirements.
SGN and Independent Age launch CO alarm and energy advice partnership
Independent Age and gas distributor SGN have launched a partnership giving 5,000 free carbon monoxide alarms and energy advice to vulnerable older households in southern England until 2026.
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.
Consultation opened on improving the energy performance of privately rented homes
The government has published its response to a consultation on raising minimum energy efficiency standards for privately rented homes in England and Wales to EPC C by 2030.
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.
Government publishes consultation on review of the fuel poverty strategy
The government published a consultation in February 2025 on a new fuel poverty strategy for England, seeking views on how to accelerate progress to deliver warm homes.
- January 2025
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.
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.
Government announces action against unreliable installers
Which? has welcomed joint government and Ofgem action to secure repairs for households affected by poor insulation work and urged ministers to set a date for mandatory installer certification.
InstaGroup working on SHDF project in Ealing
InstaGroup is supplying and installing external wall insulation and replacement windows to 44 homes in Ealing, Greater London, under the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund.
38 installers suspended from government retrofit schemes
Certification bodies suspended 38 installer businesses from government retrofit schemes after quality failures, a parliamentary committee has reported, with 22 reinstated by November 2025.
Changes to the New Build Heat Standard come into force
Changes to Scotland's New Build Heat Standard came into force on 1 January 2025, permitting bioenergy and peat heating systems and any type of secondary heating in new buildings.