The UK Government is preparing to implement the Warm Homes Plan in early 2026, a programme aimed at improving home energy efficiency and supporting low-carbon heating solutions.
The plan is intended to help with energy price rises and address fuel poverty through upgrades to insulation, heating systems, and other energy-saving measures.
While the full plan has not yet been published, several programmes and funding allocations have been confirmed.
What is the Warm Homes Plan?
The Warm Homes Plan is the government’s strategy to improve home energy efficiency and support the transition to low-carbon heating. It complements existing schemes such as the Boiler Upgrade Scheme and the Clean Heat Market Mechanism.
Key points confirmed so far:
- Approximately 300,000 homes are expected to receive energy efficiency upgrades in 2025/26.
- The government has allocated £3.4bn over three years for heat decarbonisation and efficiency measures, including £1.8bn to support fuel poverty reduction.
Energy Minister Martin McCluskey MP said: “We are investing £13.2 billion in the Warm Homes Plan up to 2030, in line with the manifesto commitment. The transition to warmer, decarbonised homes via the Warm Homes Plan will include support for the most vulnerable to help slash fuel poverty.”
The plans were meant to come in 2025 but were delayed until early this year.
Confirmed programmes & funding
Several elements of the Warm Homes Plan have been confirmed:
Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund
Funding of £1.29bn is available to retrofit social housing with insulation, low-carbon heating, and other energy efficiency measures.
Warm Homes: Local Grant
£500m is allocated to local authorities to fund energy efficiency upgrades for low-income households, including insulation, solar panels, and heat pumps.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme and Heat Training Grants
Expanded support for heat pump installation and installer training is confirmed through March 2026.
Warm Home Discount
The £150 rebate will be extended for winter 2025/26, covering an estimated 6.1 million households on means-tested benefits.
Who is eligible?
Eligibility depends on the specific scheme within the Warm Homes Plan:
- Low-income and vulnerable households – Local Grant and Warm Home Discount schemes are aimed at households at risk of fuel poverty.
- Social housing tenants – Social landlords can apply for funding to improve properties, benefiting tenants directly.
- Homeowners and private tenants – Support for heat pumps and energy efficiency measures will be available via local authorities and the Boiler Upgrade Scheme once eligibility and technical requirements are confirmed.
Next steps
The full Warm Homes Plan strategy has not yet been published. Ministers have indicated that further details on eligibility, grants, and regulatory frameworks will be provided as the plan is implemented in early 2026.
Confirmed funding and programme allocations suggest that households could start receiving energy efficiency upgrades in early 2026, with detailed guidance provided by local authorities and official government publications.
The Warm Homes Plan represents a set of measures to improve energy efficiency and reduce fuel costs for targeted households. While some elements are already funded and operational, full implementation and further details are expected in early 2026 as the government releases additional guidance.
As the Warm Homes Plan is rolled out in early 2026, households, landlords, and local authorities are expected to receive further guidance on how to access funding and support.
While some elements of the plan are already operational, full details on eligibility, application processes, and programme timelines will be provided by the government as they become available.
