Families offered free solar panels under new Warm Homes Plan

A £15 billion Warm Homes Plan will fund solar panels, heat pumps and batteries with free upgrades for the poorest households and measures intended to cut bills for five million homes by 2030.

The government announced a £15 billion Warm Homes Plan to upgrade homes across Britain. The plan is described as the largest homes upgrade programme in British history and targets solar panels, heat pumps and batteries. It aims to provide free upgrade packages for the poorest households and also offers grants and low- or zero-interest loans for other households. Officials say the measures are intended to reduce fuel poverty and lower household energy bills. Key points: - The government has pledged £15 billion to the Warm Homes Plan. - The poorest households could receive fully funded installations of solar panels and a battery; such packages are reported to cost up to £12,000 currently. - Households will be able to apply for government-backed low- and zero-interest loans, new homes will be required to include solar panels by default, and a £7,500 universal grant for heat pumps will be offered. - Plans include new rules to require landlords to invest in upgrades for renters and social tenants, and the scheme could support coordinated upgrades across whole streets. - Around six million households will receive a one-off £150 Warm Home Discount; the plan aims to cut bills for five million homes by 2030 and lift up to one million families out of fuel poverty. - Funding includes allocations for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and government data noted that home insulation installations fell by more than 90% between 2010 and 2024. Summary: If delivered as announced, the plan is intended to reduce fuel poverty and lower household energy bills through a mix of free upgrades, grants and loans. Undetermined at this time.