- The Conservative Government have announced a £2.5 billion package to boost the efficiency of heating systems across low-income households and cut bills by up to £400.
- The Government-backed Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund and Home Upgrade Grant commits £1.4 billion of funding, matched by an additional £1.1 billion from Social Housing Landlords and charities. The package will improve 115,000 domestic heating systems, and support 20,000 jobs around the country.
- By increasing the efficiency of heating systems, the Conservative Government are not only supporting families with higher costs by paying around half of the average households energy bills during the winter, but also cutting the cost of heating for thousands of low-income households
Bim Afolami MP has welcomed a share of £2.5 billion of funding to boost heating efficiency and cut heating costs in homes across Hitchin, Harpenden and the villages.
The Conservative Government have announced £1.4 billion in grant funding under the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF) (£778 million) and Home Upgrade Grant (HUG) (£630 million).
Across St. Albans City & District Council, £8,500,000 will be provided through the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund.
The funding committed by Government will be matched with around £1.1 billion in funding provided by Social Housing Landlords. This means the overall package will benefit 115,000 low-income households, with average annual bill savings of between £220 to £400 per household.
The schemes form part of the Conservative Government’s commitment to reduce overall UK energy demand by 15 per cent by 2030, as well as supporting the ambition for the UK to move towards greater energy independence.
The Home Upgrade Grant is supporting over 25,000 low-income homes across England by installing energy efficiency measures and low carbon heating. Those being aided are typically the worst quality, off-grid homes most in need of upgrading, with an EPC rating of D to G. Improving these homes comes with the added benefit of supporting 7,000 jobs.
Today’s announcement comes alongside the latest funding of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme update, at around £400 million. This scheme supports public sector bodies to move away from using fossil fuels to generate heat and energy and instead use low carbon technology.
The Conservative Government will also launch a suite of tools, templates and guidance to support the public sector in decarbonising their sites. This has been produced by, and will be hosted on the website of, Energy Systems Catapult. It includes tools to calculate BAU energy use, procurement templates and clear, accessible guidance.
Commenting, Bim Afolami MP said:
“It is right that our mission to reach net zero does not saddle taxpayers with unrealistic costs.
“That is why I am delighted the Conservative Government are investing in £8,500,000 locally to cut people’s bills by up to £400 and boost efficiency.
“This funding will increase the efficiency of heating systems and vitally cut costs for hundreds of families for the long-term.”
Commenting, Energy Secretary, Grant Shapps said:
“This winter, we have all become acutely aware of our energy bills and how best to keep our homes warm.
"In the face of Putin’s war driving up prices, we have already stepped to pay around half of the average household’s energy bills to help get through the winter months.
"Today, we are going even further to boost energy efficiency and bring down bills for those who need it the most.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors
- The Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund and Home Upgrade Grant will boost home efficiency and cut costs across low income households. DESNZ announced the allocations of a combined £1.4 billion in grant funding under the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF) (£778 million) and Home Upgrade Grant (HUG) (£630 million). With around £1.1 billion in match funding for SHDF provided by Social Housing Landlords, the overall package means over 120,000 low income households will benefit from a total of £2.5 billion in support to boost their homes’ energy efficiency, with average annual bill savings of between £220-£400 per household (DESNZ, News Story, 22 March 2023, link).
- The Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme latest allocation commits £400 million of funding for public sector buildings. DESNZ will announce the latest allocations of around £400 million in funding under the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, which supports public sector bodies to move away from using fossil fuels to generate heat and energy and instead use low carbon technology, as well as improving the energy efficiency of their buildings. DESNZ will also launch a suite of tools, templates and guidance to support the public sector in decarbonising their sites. This has been produced by, and will be hosted on the website of, Energy Systems Catapult. It includes tools to calculate BAU energy use, procurement templates and clear, accessible guidance (DESNZ, News Story, 22 March 2023, link).
- The Conservative Government are investing over £3 billion, this Parliament, to help improve energy efficiency in almost 600,000 low-income, fuel poor households. Through our Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund and government Home Upgrade Grants and Boiler Upgrade Scheme we are improving energy efficiency in almost 600,000 low income homes (BEIS, Policy Paper, 19 October 2021, link).
