The Great British Insulation Scheme began in April 2023, administered by Ofgem and developed by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ)1. It was announced on 30 March 2023 as part of the government's Powering Up Britain policy paper, which set out steps to make the UK "more energy independent, secure and resilient"3. The scheme is a supplier obligation, placing a duty on medium and large energy companies to deliver measures that reduce energy usage1.
Ofgem states the scheme is "designed to deliver improvements to the least energy-efficient homes in Great Britain to tackle fuel poverty and help reduce energy bills"1. It complements the Energy Company Obligation (ECO4), but unlike ECO4's whole house approach, it mostly delivers single insulation measures1. The scheme will deliver one insulation measure per home4.
Eligibility covers two groups. The general group applies to homes with an Energy Performance Certificate rating of D to G, within Council Tax bands A to D in England and A to E in Scotland and Wales1. The low-income group is for homeowners or tenants receiving at least one qualifying benefit, including Child Benefit, Pension Guarantee Credit, Universal Credit and Housing Benefit4. Which? reported that up to 80% of people whose homes are in band A to D will qualify, 300,000 more than under the previous scheme5.
Eligible insulation measures include cavity wall, loft, solid wall, pitched roof, flat roof, under-floor, solid floor, park home and room-in-roof insulation4. Where an eligible measure is installed in owner-occupied premises in the low-income group, certain heating controls such as room thermostats are also allowed as a secondary measure4.
Ofgem states plainly that the scheme is not a grant scheme4. It says it is up to energy companies to determine which projects they fund and the level of funding they provide, and that higher-cost measures such as solid wall insulation would be more likely to need a contribution from the household4. Funding cannot be blended with other government schemes or grants4. All installers must be TrustMark-accredited4.
"The Great British Insulation Scheme is not a grant scheme"
Which? reported that the energy-saving improvements could save households £300 to £400 per year on energy bills5. Uswitch later reported that cavity wall insulation for a semi-detached house costs around £2,700 and could save £240 a year, while loft insulation costs around £900 and could save £230 a year6.
Why it matters for households
The scheme targets homes that are expensive to heat because they lose warmth through walls and roofs. For a household in a lower Council Tax band with a poor EPC rating, a single insulation measure can reduce the energy needed to keep the home warm, which is the practical basis of energy independence at home: less reliance on bought energy to achieve the same comfort. Because the scheme is a supplier obligation rather than a grant, the level of support varies between companies and installers, and a household contribution may be required4. Eligibility does not guarantee installation4.
What happens next
Ofgem's pages state the scheme began in April 2023 and closed on 31 March 20261. One Ofgem page states it was "scheduled to end in April 2026"4, while the main scheme pages give the closing date as 31 March 20261. Uswitch reported the scheme ended on 31 March 2026 alongside the ECO scheme6. Which? reported that a gov.uk application portal was expected to launch in summer 20235.
Sources6 cited
- Great British Insulation Scheme | Ofgem, ofgem.gov.uk
- Great British Insulation Scheme | Ofgem, ofgem.gov.uk
- The Great British Insulation Scheme | News | Solid Wall Insulation Guarantee Agency, swiga.co.uk
- Great British Insulation Scheme - Homeowners and tenants | Ofgem, ofgem.gov.uk
- Are you eligible for an insulation grant? - Which?, which.co.uk
- What is the Great British Insulation Scheme? - Uswitch, uswitch.com