Government funding

Government funding

Energy efficiency

The UK government provides various forms of funding for energy, aimed at supporting the development and adoption of renewable energy sources, improving energy efficiency, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Some of the key funding initiatives in the UK include:

  1. Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI): The RHI is a government scheme aimed at promoting the use of renewable heat technologies, such as solar thermal panels, heat pumps, and biomass boilers. The scheme provides financial support to eligible households, businesses, and public sector organizations to help offset the upfront costs of installing renewable heat technologies.
  2. Feed-in Tariffs (FiTs): The FiTs scheme provides payments to households and businesses that generate their own electricity using renewable energy sources, such as solar panels and wind turbines. The scheme was closed to new applicants in 2019, but existing participants continue to receive payments.
  3. Energy Company Obligation (ECO): The ECO is a government scheme aimed at improving the energy efficiency of homes in the UK. The scheme provides funding for energy efficiency measures, such as insulation and heating upgrades, to low-income households and those living in fuel poverty.
  4. Green Homes Grant: The Green Homes Grant was a government scheme launched in 2020 aimed at providing financial support to households to improve the energy efficiency of their homes. The scheme closed to new applicants in March 2021, but existing participants continue to receive support.
  5. Industrial Energy Transformation Fund (IETF): The IETF provides funding for businesses to invest in energy efficiency measures and decarbonization projects. The scheme aims to support the UK’s transition to a low-carbon economy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from industry.

These are just a few examples of the government funding initiatives for energy in the UK. There are also various grants and incentives available at the local level, as well as funding for research and development of new energy technologies.

Help with energy costs

The UK government provides various forms of support to help households with their energy bills. Some of the key initiatives include:

  1. Winter Fuel Payments: The Winter Fuel Payment is a tax-free payment made to eligible households to help them cover the cost of heating their homes during the winter months. The payment is usually made between November and December each year.
  2. Cold Weather Payments: The Cold Weather Payment is a payment made to eligible households when the temperature drops below a certain level for a specified period of time. The payment is intended to help households with the additional costs of heating their homes during cold weather.
  3. Warm Home Discount Scheme: The Warm Home Discount Scheme is a government scheme that provides eligible households with a one-off payment of £150 to help with their energy bills during the winter months. The scheme is targeted at low-income households and those at risk of fuel poverty.
  4. Energy Company Obligation (ECO): The ECO is a government scheme aimed at improving the energy efficiency of homes in the UK. The scheme provides funding for energy efficiency measures, such as insulation and heating upgrades, to low-income households and those living in fuel poverty.
  5. Cost of Living Payment: The Cost of Living Payment is a payment that was made to people on a low income who satisfy the criteria set by the government. It was paid automatically and there was no need to apply.
  6. Energy Bills Support Scheme Discount: The EBSSD provided a £400 non-repayable discount to eligible households to help with their energy bills over winter 2022 to 2023.
  7. Budgeting Loans: Budgeting Loans are interest-free loans provided by the government to eligible households to help them cover the cost of essential items, including energy bills. The loans are repayable over a period of up to two years.

These are just a few examples of the support available from the UK government to help households with their energy bills. There may also be additional support available at the local level, such as through local councils or charities.