The Energy Saving Trust published its response to the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero consultation on the review of the fuel poverty strategy on 7 October 2025. The charity, which delivers the Scottish Government's Home Energy Scotland service, set out two priority recommendations: that fuel poor homes be prioritised for UK Government funding and receive grants covering the full costs of retrofit, and that England get a national expert energy advice service1.
The response states that bringing all fuel poor homes to EPC C by 2030 would save households an average of £480 on their annual energy bills1. It also cites the Committee on Fuel Poverty's estimate that only 10 to 30 per cent of the Energy Company Obligation is spent on fuel poor homes, with a significant proportion going on lead generation1. The Trust says the current process for households upgrading their homes is complex and confusing, leaving people unsure which measures suit their property or whether they qualify for support1.
The Trust points to its delivery of Home Energy Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Government as evidence for a national service. It says the network helps more than 130,000 customers a year, and that in 2022-23, 42 per cent of people who used the service installed at least one energy efficiency, low carbon heat or renewable energy improvement after receiving advice, with 42 per cent more planning to do so within 12 months1. Advice is delivered online, by phone and in person1.
"England needs a national expert energy advice service"
The response describes Home Energy Scotland as the only route into Scotland's national fuel poverty programme, Warmer Homes Scotland, and says Energycarers provide an enhanced level of handholding, advocacy and support through home visits or remotely for very vulnerable households, including those with issues relating to physical or mental health, disability, family circumstances, low income and expensive heating1. It says the service works with local energy advice organisations rather than displacing them, and that around 12,800 referrals came from other organisations in 2022-23 and 9,400 in 2023-241. Partner organisations can also receive training to upskill staff and volunteers in energy efficiency, heat pump and electric heating, and other home energy topics1.
The Trust says advice services can refer households to income and bill support. In Scotland it signposts to the Department for Work and Pensions or Citizens Advice Scotland for benefit checks, helps householders access the Warm Home Discount, and made referrals during 2022 and 2023 to Fuel Insecurity Fund support including the Fuel Bank Foundation's pre-payment meter voucher scheme, the Fuel Bank Foundation's HEAT fund for non-standard heating crisis support, and the Advice Direct Scotland administered Home Heating Support Fund1.
Why it matters for households
For a household in fuel poverty, the gap between knowing a home needs insulation or a new heating system and actually getting one is often money and information. The Trust's argument is that grants covering the full cost remove the first barrier, and a national advice service removes the second. Its evidence from Scotland suggests advice changes behaviour: a large share of those advised went on to install a measure. The response also raises a point about installed measures being used badly. It says a lack of knowledge of how to operate a new heating system properly could lead to an increase in bills, or the household not using the system at all, and that insulation installation requires heating controls to be adjusted1. For a home's energy independence, that means the benefit of a retrofit depends partly on what happens after the work is done, not only on the work itself.
What happens next
The response is the Trust's submission to the DESNZ consultation on the review of the fuel poverty strategy. The consultation outcome and any government decision on the recommendations have not been reported1. The Trust says it hopes to see full-cost retrofit grants in the Warm Homes Plan1.
Sources1 cited
- Review of the fuel poverty strategy - Energy Saving Trust, energysavingtrust.org.uk