Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary Claire Coutinho today (Monday 2 October) announced that up to £80 million in additional funding will be made available through the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund – which will generate energy bill savings of around £240 a year for some of the lowest-income households.

More than 100,000 households in England are already benefiting from the scheme and today’s funding is enough to upgrade an additional 9,500 homes, a government spokesperson said.

Measures range from installing new wall, loft or underfloor insulation to supporting families to switch to low carbon heating – helping to cut energy bills and supporting around 2,000 jobs.

As part of the government’s new approach to reaching net zero, eligible tenants will receive the energy efficiency upgrades free of charge through their social housing provider, whether local councils or housing associations. 

Secretary of State for Energy Security Claire Coutinho said: “We are delivering net zero in a way that supports the British public and does not burden hardworking families with additional costs.

“Our Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund is delivering warmer homes and energy bill savings of around £240 for some of the lowest income families, as well as supporting thousands of jobs.”

Minister for Energy Efficiency and Green Finance Lord Callanan said: “The UK is a trailblazer when it comes to reducing carbon emissions, cutting them faster than any other G7 country.

“By supporting families to improve their household energy efficiency, this additional funding will deliver measures such as new insulation and low-carbon heating for even more households – helping them save money and cut emissions.”