ECO+ scheme announcement and consultation

[edit] Introduction

On 28 November 2022, Business and Energy Secretary Grant Shapps launched a government push to help millions of people across the country bring down their energy costs. This is part of plans to deliver a new energy demand reduction target which was announced in the Autumn Statement, reducing energy demand by 15% by 2030.

[edit] Plans announced

Under the plans announced, the new ECO+ scheme will extend support to those not currently benefitting from any other government support to upgrade thier homes. In addition to the existing £6.6 billion ‘Help to Heat’ energy schemes this new £1 billion funding will ensure hundreds of thousands more households benefit from new home insulation and with that, lower bills.

A new £18 million public information campaign will also offer technical tips and advice for people to cut their energy use, while keeping warm.

Of the £1 billion funding available through the new ECO+ scheme, around 80% will be made available for those households who are in some of the least energy-efficient homes in the country – that is, those with an EPC rating of D or below – and in the lower Council Tax bands.

This is on top of £6.6 billion of existing spend in this parliament through Help to Heat schemes including the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund, Home Upgrade Grant and Local Authority Delivery Scheme.

[edit] Consultation

The UK Government intends to lay necessary legislation for the scheme to launch in spring 20223 and run until March 2026. However, the government also plans to work with energy suppliers to explore the potential for some earlier delivery in 2023. The consultation will ran from 28 November to 23 December 2022.

[edit] ECO+

The existing ECO scheme (known as ECO4) is targeted at those who need support most; those in social housing, on a low-income or fuel poor. However, with the significant increase in energy bills, the government intends that up to 80% of ECO+ will help a wider customer base who are currently not eligible for support under existing government-backed energy efficiency schemes.

[edit] Further information

For further information visit https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-joins-with-households-to-help-millions-reduce-their-energy-bills

[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings

• Chancellor's 2022 Autumn statement industry response.
• Energy efficiency retrofit training videos.
• Energy targets for buildings.
• Government net zero review 2022.
• Heat load in buildings.
• Net zero strategy: build back greener..
• Warm homes programme.