What is ECO+?
The UK government’s ECO+ scheme is funding for energy efficiency measures running from Spring 2023 – 2026
This guide will be updated as and when new information comes out about ECO+
There are several existing government programmes which aim to prevent fuel poverty. These include ECO4, The Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF), and the Local Authority Delivery (LAD) scheme. But, due to vastly increased energy prices and the cost of living crisis, the government are now offering further support to those most at risk of struggling to pay their energy bills.
On Monday November 28th, Business and Energy Secretary Grant Shapps launched a project to help millions of people across the country lower their energy costs. The government’s budget for the ECO+ scheme is £1 billion. The government intends to lay out necessary legislation so the scheme can commence in spring 2023.
Just over a year ago the average annual energy bill was around £1,271 in the UK. Due to the energy crisis, despite the price freeze and government support schemes, the average bill has doubled.
The Energy Company Obligation (ECO scheme) began in April 2013 and is “responsible for the installation of around 3.5 million insulation and heating measures in 2.4 million homes.” ECO has gone through a few different versions, and we are currently in ECO4. The purpose of the scheme is to reduce carbon emissions and reduce fuel poverty. In order to qualify, your home must have a poor energy efficiency rating, and someone in the property must be in receipt of a qualifying benefit.
The government is proposing another scheme to run alongside ECO4 called ECO+. This is to target the least efficient homes in low council tax bands, low-income households, and vulnerable households. ECO+ was created to complement ECO4 by capturing households which are not eligible for ECO4.
If your household fits the criteria, you could benefit from free insulation and heating controls. The funding will be delivered by energy suppliers.
How do you qualify for ECO+ funding?
The qualifying criteria for ECO+ is subject to change, but at the moment this is what the government are putting forth:
“We propose ECO+ scheme eligibility be divided into two groups.
The first, broader group of households will cover households who are not eligible for support under other ECO schemes. This group will cover all homes in Council Tax bands A-D in England, A-E in Scotland, and A-C in Wales, with an EPC of D and below.
The second group of households will cover low-income households, mirroring ECO4 eligibility. In this consultation, these are referred to as the “general eligibility” and “low-income” groups, respectively.”
There is currently a consultation underway which has ran from November 28th and will end on December 23rd at 11:45pm.
The UK government is seeking views on the proposed ECO+ scheme from consumer representatives, energy suppliers, and anyone else with an interest in energy efficiency and fuel poverty policies. You can respond here, email: beisecoplusteam@beis.gov.uk, or write to: Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, 1 Victoria St, London.
