Warm Homes Plan to tackle fuel poverty

The government has launched its £15 billion Warm Homes Plan which aims to upgrade the nation’s homes and lift up to a million families out of fuel poverty by 2030.

The government has already taken action on the rising cost of living in the Budget, taking an average of £150 off the cost of energy bills as of April this year. Around six million households will also receive the £150 Warm Home Discount – a total package of £300.

There is currently record demand for domestic clean energy products such as solar panels and heat pumps. According to Octopus Energy, solar panel sales have risen sharply since the start of the Middle East conflict, with households opting for larger arrays of roof panels. The energy provider said sales were up 50% from the start of the war to the middle of April, after the conflict pushed up oil and gas prices.

The cost of clean energy products continues to fall, but they are still out of reach for many and the government hopes the Warm Homes Plan will help bring costs down so that everyone can benefit.

Matt Mahony, policy and public affairs manager at the Construction Industry Council, said: “On the whole, the announcement is very positive. It shows the government grasps the issues and understands what is driving the need for such measures. Yet despite the long wait for a plan, many questions remain about whether it is likely to deliver.

“We welcome the plan to address the upfront cost barriers to the uptake of batteries, heat pumps and solar panels. Consumer awareness and confidence is key. There must be a robust plan for upskilling rapidly to cope with demand, as increased deployment can correlate with higher defects and lower quality.

“Neither government nor the public can afford another flop along the lines of ECO4, GBIS or the earlier Green Deal for Home Improvement, so a robust system of oversight must be established.”