The Warm Homes Plan – a retrofit reaction

The government has published its Warm Homes Plan, setting out £15 billion of investment to improve the energy efficiency of homes across the UK, with the potential to support up to 180,000 jobs across the retrofit sector. At Retrofit West, we welcome this level of ambition and funding committed to tackling cold, inefficient homes.

The Plan sets a clear direction and establishes the foundations needed to improve homes at scale. It brings together support for different parts of the housing system, including help for households on lower incomes, improvements to social housing, clearer standards for rented homes, and options for homeowners who want to invest in upgrades.

Supporting homeowners who are able to invest

For homeowners who are able to invest in their homes, the introduction of low or no-interest loans could remove a significant barrier. Upfront cost is often what slows decisions down, even when people are already planning home renovations or improvements.

We look forward to further detail on how these loans will work and how quickly they will be made available.

Changes to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme made late last year are also notable. Support is now available for air-to-air heat pumps, alongside air-source systems. Air-to-air heat pumps are supported at £2,500, compared with £5,000 for air-source heat pumps, and can provide both heating and cooling. Expanding the technologies covered by the scheme helps reflect the range of homes and installation options that exist in practice.

Supporting landlords and rented homes

The Warm Homes Plan restates the commitment set out in the Renters’ Rights Bill for private rented homes to meet EPC C by 2030. This provides landlords with a clear timeline for meeting energy efficiency requirements.

We expect impartial advice to play an important role in supporting this transition, and we look forward to working with landlords across the West of England in ensuring their properties remain compliant.

Supporting businesses and jobs in the West of England

Delivering retrofit at scale depends on a strong and confident supply chain. The Warm Homes Plan presents a significant opportunity for businesses across the sector, with long-term investment that can support growth, training and job creation.

As the market transitions from existing schemes such as ECO to new funding arrangements, clear communication will be important to help contractors plan ahead. Providing visibility on what comes next will give businesses the confidence to invest in skills, retain experienced staff and prepare for increased demand.

This is particularly important in the West of England. The West of England Mayoral Combined Authority Growth Strategy aims to create 72,000 new jobs and deliver 28% economic growth over the next decade, with clean energy identified as a priority sector. Retrofit has a clear role to play in supporting that ambition, by creating local jobs and building long-term capacity across the region.

Making retrofit clearer for households

The creation of a new Warm Homes Agency could help make retrofit easier to navigate. Clearer information about where to start, what support is available and how schemes fit together will be important in improving the overall experience for households.

National structures can help provide consistency and clarity, but they work best when supported by independent, locally delivered advice that reflects local housing types and supply chains.

Looking ahead

The Warm Homes Plan sets out the direction of travel. The next step is ensuring it is implemented clearly and at pace, with smooth transitions between schemes and delivery that works on the ground.

We look forward to supporting the delivery of warmer, more energy-efficient homes across the West of England.