The UK Government says its Warm Homes Plan will deliver £15 billion of public investment and will roll out upgrades to up to 5 million homes, leading to lower energy bills.
Home insulation installations fell by more than 90% between 2010 and 2024, the UK Government says, adding that the plan would also bring down the costs of solar panels and heat pumps.
Homeowners will be able to apply for government-backed low and zero interest loans to install solar panels.
These loans will also be available for batteries and heat pumps. Low-income households and those in fuel poverty could receive support that would cover the full cost of having solar panels put on their rooftop, or insulation installed, alongside new rules to ensure landlords invest in upgrades to cut bills for renters and social tenants.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:
“A warm home shouldn’t be a privilege, it should be a basic guarantee for every family in Britain. Today’s plan marks a turning point. It will help to slash energy costs and lift up to a million people out of fuel poverty.
“This is a government bearing down on the cost-of-living crisis. By driving bills down for good and upgrading millions of homes, we’re giving people the security and the fair shot they need to get on in life.”
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said:
“It is a scandal that millions of people in our country do not have the security of a home that is warm, affordable and safe.
“With this investment, we embark on a national project to turn the tide – waging war on fuel poverty and taking another step forward in tackling the affordability crisis for families throughout Britain.”
