Powering Homes News: page 4
- July 2026
£5 million allocated to Nest scheme, taking total to £37 million this year
The Welsh Government has added £5 million to the Nest scheme, taking its total to £37 million this financial year, as part of a £17 million injection into housing retrofit.
£8 million added to Optimised Retrofit Programme, total £106.75 million in final year
Welsh Government adds £8 million to the Optimised Retrofit Programme, taking its budget to £106.75 million in the scheme's final year, as part of a £17 million retrofit funding package.
Government response to plug-in solar consultation published
The government has published its response to the plug-in solar consultation, confirming it intends to proceed with regulatory amendments and an interim product specification for compliant devices.
Plug-in Solar Device Interim Product Specification version 2 published
The Secretary of State published version 2 of the Plug-in Solar Device Interim Product Specification on 16 July 2026, alongside regulations that make compliant plug-in solar kits legal to connect through a standard socket.
Welsh Government publishes Warm Homes Programme review report and response
The Welsh Government has published its review of the Warm Homes Programme and committed a further £17 million to retrofit schemes, including £5 million more for the Nest scheme.
Grants and SchemesYour Type of HomeScotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
Energy Saving Trust publishes analysis on clean home upgrade savings
Energy Saving Trust analysis says clean home upgrades can save households up to £800 a year, as it sets out five policy pillars for the UK Government's Warm Homes Plan.
UK Power Networks launches four-year Enduring Partnership programme with Community Energy Pathways and Hope4U
UK Power Networks has launched a four-year Enduring Partnership programme with Community Energy Pathways and Hope4U, aimed at helping around 60,000 vulnerable customers access energy support and grants.
Future Homes Hub and Good Homes Alliance launch renter customer journey guide
The Future Homes Hub and Good Homes Alliance have published a free guide for landlords and letting agents on supporting renters through low energy, all-electric homes from first enquiry to future tenancies.
Energy-saving materials 0% VAT relief end date added
HM Revenue and Customs has updated its VAT guidance to state that energy-saving materials installed in homes carry 0% VAT relief only until 31 March 2027.
Energy Saving Trust publishes Flexible Futures report on smart tariffs and low carbon home technologies
Energy Saving Trust modelling of more than a million scenarios finds households can cut annual energy bills by up to £800 by pairing heat pumps, solar panels and battery storage with a smart tariff.
Citizens Advice responds to consultation on Electricity Bill Discount Scheme cost allowance methodology
Citizens Advice has told a consultation on the Electricity Bill Discount Scheme cost allowance that extra levies should not be added to electricity unit rates and that schemes should be funded from general taxation.
Rules and RegulationEnergy SuppliersEnergy Bills and the Price Cap
Citizens Advice responds to Ofgem consultation on price cap debt-related costs
Citizens Advice has told Ofgem that the debt-related cost allowance in the energy price cap was set too high, led to material over-recovery and needs a further downward adjustment.
Rules and RegulationEnergy Bills and the Price CapEnergy Suppliers
Uswitch 10 Hours Electricity incentive scheduled to close
Uswitch's 10 Hours Electricity incentive, which credits up to £10 to customers who connect a smart meter, is scheduled to close on 8 July 2026 unless the company extends it.
Higher BUS grant for oil and LPG replacements starts
Households in England and Wales heating with oil or LPG can claim a £9,000 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant for an air-to-water or ground source heat pump from July 2026, up from £7,500.
Ian Rippin announced he will step down as MCS CEO
Ian Rippin will stand down as chief executive of MCS, the UK certification body for small-scale renewables, after more than eight years, with chief operating officer Lisa Cooke named as his successor.
Lisa Cooke appointed MCS Managing Director
Lisa Cooke, currently MCS Chief Operating Officer, will succeed Ian Rippin as Managing Director of the UK certification body for small-scale renewables from 1 August 2026.
Citizens Advice updates RIIO-2 review, estimating network company windfall rising to £7 billion by 2028
Citizens Advice has updated its review of the RIIO-2 price controls to include 2024/25, finding network company windfalls worth around £5 billion to 2025 and up to £7 billion by 2028.
HUG2 closed to applications in Wolverhampton area
Act on Energy has confirmed the Home Upgrade Grant is closed across Wolverhampton and neighbouring West Midlands and Worcestershire areas, with applications no longer processed and a replacement scheme expected later this year.
SSE Airtricity electricity tariffs to rise 6.2% from 1 August 2026
SSE Airtricity, Northern Ireland's second largest electricity supplier, will raise its electricity tariffs by 6.2% from 1 August 2026, adding around £76 a year to a typical bill.
Citizens Advice publishes report on unlocking innovation in the energy retail market
Citizens Advice has published research setting out six policy options for reforming the Universal Service Obligation and the price cap, saying retail market reform has stalled and innovation is progressing slowly.
Rules and RegulationEnergy Bills and the Price CapEnergy Suppliers
Updated BUS guidance published reflecting scheme changes
Ofgem published updated Boiler Upgrade Scheme guidance for installers and property owners on 2 July 2026, ahead of applications opening on 21 July under amended scheme rules.
Which? publishes response to DESNZ plug in solar consultation
Which? has told the government that safety concerns around plug in solar must be resolved before the products go on sale in the UK, while backing their potential to cut bills.
100Green to offer choice of green gas levels
From July 2026, 100Green customers will be able to choose between a gas supply containing at least 10% green gas and one that is 100% green gas.
Backwardation deadband removal to take effect from price cap 16b
Ofgem will remove the £9 deadband from the backwardation allowance in the energy price cap from price cap period 16b, covering July to September 2026, it has confirmed.
Core Group eligibility in Scotland expanded from 2026/27
The Scottish Government has decided that Core Group eligibility for the Warm Home Discount in Scotland will align with the qualifying benefits list for the Scottish Winter Heating Payment as of December 2025.
CPI 12-month inflation at 2.9% in July 2026
UK consumer price inflation rose to 2.9% in the 12 months to July 2026, the first increase since March, as a higher Ofgem price cap pushed gas prices up 14.7%.
CSE reviews its energy mythbuster page
The Centre for Sustainable Energy has reviewed four of its household energy advice pages, restating figures on heat loss, standby costs, Economy 7 and park home insulation.
Gas prices rise sharply month on month in July 2026
The Office for National Statistics reports that the CPI gas index rose 14.7% in the month to July 2026 and 8.0% over 12 months, the largest monthly gas rise since October 2022.
Government announces summer consultation on permitted development rights for heat pumps
The government has announced a summer consultation on permitted development rights for heat pumps, as analysis suggests households have spent up to £8 million on planning applications that are mostly approved.
Met Office declares another heatwave with temperatures above 30°C
The Met Office declared a further heatwave in early July 2026, with temperatures above 30°C expected across much of the country for up to a week.