Earlier this month, the Labour Government launched the Warm Homes Plan backed by £15 billion in funding.
Anneliese Dodds, MP for Oxford East, warmly welcomed the news. “Upgrading homes is one of the best ways to bring down bills for good. Home insulation installations dropped by over 90% between 2010 and 2024 – we’re turning that around.”
“It’s fantastic that £5 billion of this funding will be targeted at low-income families in particular, alongside a universal offer so that every type of household across Oxford can benefit.”
Homeowners will be able to save on energy costs by upgrading their home insulation and benefiting from solar panels, heat pumps, and batteries. There will be a £7,500 universal grant for heat pumps and a zero or low interest loans programme for solar panels. New-build homes will come with solar panels by default.
Low-income families could receive fully funded installations of solar panels and a battery, to the full average cost (currently £9,000-£12,000).
For social housing residents, this could mean upgrades to entire streets at the same time, lowering bills and improving warmth and comfort for whole neighbourhoods.
Meanwhile, all renters will receive new protections to ensure landlords invest in upgrades to cut bills – landlords have a responsibility to ensure their rental properties are safe, warm, and affordable.
In addition to the Warm Homes Plan, the Government is supporting families by taking £150 off energy bills from April, including for those on fixed tariffs. On top of that, Labour has extended the £150 Warm Home Discount to 2.7 million more families. All households receiving means-tested benefits will be eligible for support. There’s no need to apply as payments will be automatic, making it easier for families to benefit.
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