Great British Insulation Scheme: Free Grant for UK Homes

The Cold Reality of British Homes

Many UK homes, especially the least energy efficient homes, face the challenge of high energy bills, particularly during colder months. The root cause? A lack of effective energy efficiency measures. The Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) emerges as a solution, aiming to address this widespread issue.

But what if there were a solution available for those who need help with gas and electric bills? Is GBIS Britain’s answer to the problem of cold homes?

An Overview of the Great British Insulation Scheme

The Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) is a government-backed initiative, aiming to significantly enhance the energy efficiency of British homes, especially in low income group. As energy efficiency measures become increasingly crucial in today’s world, the GBIS stands out as a beacon of hope for homeowners looking to make their homes more energy efficient and reduce their heating bills.

Benefits of Joining the Scheme

Joining the GBIS offers a plethora of advantages, ensuring energy efficient homes for all:

1. Financial Savings: By focusing on home insulation, particularly for internal and external walls, the scheme ensures that households can achieve significant savings. Effective insulation, including cavity wall and solid wall insulation, can lead to reductions of up to £500 on energy bills annually.^[1] This is especially beneficial for vulnerable households and those with a lower total household income.
2. Boosted Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) Rating: A home’s energy efficiency is gauged by its EPC rating. By participating in the insulation scheme and opting for insulation upgrades, homeowners can significantly boost their home’s EPC rating. ^[2] This not only makes the property more attractive in the real estate market but can also lead to lower council tax bands, further aiding in financial savings.
3. Addressing Fuel Poverty: One of the primary goals of the British insulation scheme is to combat fuel poverty. Many low-income and vulnerable households struggle with heat loss, leading to higher heating bills and a reliance on inefficient heating systems. By providing free insulation, especially for social housing and privately rented properties, the scheme ensures homes are both warm and affordable. Moreover, eligible social housing properties might also receive heating controls, heat pumps, and even solar panels as part of the scheme’s broader energy efficiency help.
4. Eligibility Criteria: The scheme is inclusive, targeting a wide range of households. Whether you belong to the general group or are part of the low-income bracket, there are provisions to assist. For instance, those on income-related employment benefits or residing in social housing can benefit from single insulation measures or even comprehensive energy efficiency upgrades. Collaborations with energy providers ensure that the scheme’s benefits are widespread and accessible.

Joint Efforts for a Warmer Future

The Great British Insulation Scheme is a government initiative that thrives on collaboration. It brings together government bodies, energy suppliers, housing associations, social housing providers, and homeowners to create a warmer, more energy-efficient future. Key collaborations include:

• Council Tax Band Incentives: Some local authorities, in partnership with housing associations and private landlords, are considering aligning council tax bands with EPC ratings. This means that if your property qualifies with improved energy efficiency, you could save money on your council tax.^[3]
• Support from Energy Suppliers: Under the Energy Company Obligation, energy suppliers are extending support to homeowners. This is especially beneficial for those on housing benefit, universal credit, income support, support allowance, child benefit, and pension credit. The goal is to help homeowners reduce their energy use and improve their home’s energy efficiency.

A Closer Look at the Insulation Measures

Understanding the types of insulation promoted by the Great British Insulation Scheme is crucial for homeowners. Free cavity wall insulation, solid wall and loft insulation grant are at the forefront.

Criticisms and Controversies Surrounding the Great British Insulation Scheme

While the GBIS, in collaboration with each energy companies and local authorities, aims to boost the energy performance certificate ratings of homes and reduce energy bills, it has faced challenges from the Local Government Association (LGA)^[5]:

1. Progress & Impact: The scheme’s support dropped from half a million homes in 2013 to 60,000 in 2022. This decline, especially for the low income group, led to households missing out on potential savings of £2 billion.
2. Future Concerns: At the current rate:
   • 2.4 million fuel-poor homes will lack support by 2030.
   • Achieving home insulation goals will take 50 and 60 years, respectively, despite a net zero target in 27 years.
   • New boilers, which aren’t sustainable long-term, dominate the scheme’s measures.
3. Localised Approach: The LGA suggests devolving energy efficiency schemes to councils for targeted, effective implementation. Research supports that local strategies are more cost-effective than national ones.

Other concerns include:

• Duration and Scope Concerns: Industry data indicates GBIS would need 190 years to enhance UK home energy efficiency and 300 years for fuel poverty targets. With an aim to insulate 300,000 homes in three years, critics believe it’s inadequate for the 19 million homes needing insulation.^[6]
• Comparison with Previous Efforts: The Labour party notes the current energy upgrade rate is 20 times slower than their previous tenure.^[7]
• Industry Feedback: The Labour party notes the current energy upgrade rate is 20 times slower than their previous tenure.
• Targeting Concerns: NEA reports the scheme doesn’t sufficiently focus on the most needy, fuel-poor households. Achieving targets for these homes would take about 300 years, missing the 2030 deadline.^[8]
• Pace: Despite the importance of insulation grants for the UK’s 2050 net-zero-carbon goal, energy efficiency installations have declined, with a 96% drop in annual installations by 2021 under the Conservative government.^[9]
• Political Commentary: Ed Miliband called out Prime Minister Rishi Sunak for not addressing rising energy bills post-Ukraine conflict.^[10]

Sources:

• [1] Reducing home heat loss – Cavity wall insulation – energysavingtrust.org.uk
• [2] Meta-Analysis of Price Premiums in Housing with Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) – semanticscholar.org
• [3] GB Insulation Scheme (formerly ECO+) Final IA – gov.uk
• [4] Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) Guidance: Delivery – ofgem.gov.uk
• [5] Energy saving schemes falling short, warn councils – Local Government Association, local.gov.uk
• [6] UK Insulation Scheme falls short, and may take 300 years to meet targets – Building for Humanity
• [7] Labour: Warm Homes Plan would save households £500 on energy bills – The Telegraph
• [8] UK Fuel Poverty Monitor 2021-2022 – National Energy Action charity, nea.org.uk
• [9] Home insulation and the net zero target – House of Lords Library, lordslibrary.parliament.uk
• [10] UK insulation scheme would take 300 years to meet government targets, say critics – The Guardian

Great British Insulation Scheme FAQ