On Thursday 30th March 2023 the Government publisehed a document entitled Powering Up Britain - a policy paper which set out how the government will enhance our country’s energy security, seize the economic opportunities of the transition, and deliver on their net zero commitments.

Publication came in 3 separate documents:

Powering Up Britain. This sets out the department’s approach to energy security and net zero, and acts as an introduction to Powering Up Britain: Energy Security Plan, and Powering Up Britain: Net Zero Growth Plan, both of which are complementary and should be read alongside each other.

Download in PDF format: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1147340/powering-up-britain-joint-overview.pdf

Powering Up Britain: Energy Security Plan. This sets out the steps the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero is taking to ensure the UK is more energy independent, secure and resilient.

Download in PDF format: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1148252/powering-up-britain-energy-security-plan.pdf

Powering Up Britain: Net Zero Growth Plan. his document sets out how the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero aims to enhance the UK’s energy security, seize the economic opportunities of the transition, and deliver on our net zero commitments.

Download in PDF format: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1147457/powering-up-britain-net-zero-growth-plan.pdf

Within this wider announcement came the news that, building on from decisive government action taken since 2021, measures announced would include:
 

“Cutting household bills by expanding Government energy efficiency support to even more households – The Great British Insulation Scheme, a rebranded ECO+, will upgrade 300,000 of the country’s least energy efficient homes.”

We therefore learnt that the existing ECO (Energy Company Obligation) and the new ECO Plus will now be known as the Geat British Insulation Scheme or GBIS for short.

Geat British Insulation Scheme 

The Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) is a supplier obligation which is being developed by the UK government’s Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ). The aim of the scheme is to deliver energy efficiency upgrades in homes in Great Britain.

GBIS will target the worst performing homes and will include a ‘general eligibility group’, covering homes in the lower council tax bands, with an EPC of D and below. Under the scheme, suppliers may offer to install a single retrofit insulation measure with the cost partially or fully subsidised.

The scheme will work by obligating energy suppliers to help customers to reduce their heating bills, through the installation of energy efficiency measures such as loft and cavity wall insulation. The cost of this may be covered in full through the scheme, or you may be offered the insulation for a contribution, depending on the measure and any property issues.

As an initial step DESNZ commissioned the Behavioural Practice at Kantar Public UK to carry out a research study to understand the extent to which owner-occupiers are willing to co-fund the installation of retrofit measures in their home. This report presents findings from an online discrete choice experiment and a follow up survey with owner occupiers in England, Scotland and Wales who meet the eligibility criteria for the GBIS general eligibility group.

The finding of this consulation have now been published – you can download a copy of the reseach findings report directly: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1145476/great_british_insulation_scheme_willingness_to_pay_a_discrete_choice_experiment.pdf

Once the scheme launches, households will be able to check their eligibility via GOV.UK or a participating energy supplier or local authority. If a household is eligible, they will then be contacted about arranging a survey of their home and to organise any installation.

Events to discuss the Government Response and provide some information about delivery of the scheme are being arranged - we will of course keep you informed as things progress.

More information can be found on the website of DESNZ >