SWIGA NEWS

Latest Industry News

SWIGA - Latest Industry News

Below you'll find links to all the latest news and developments affecting the solid wall insulation market in the UK.

Check back regularly or follow our social media accounts to keep up to date.
Extension to HEM and Future Homes and Buildings Standards consultations

Extension to HEM and Future Homes and Buildings Standards consultations

Deadlines for the Future Homes and Buildings Standards, the Home Energy Model (HEM) and the Home Energy Model: Future Homes Standard assessment (SAP) consultations extended.
Heritage Information - Traditional Buildings

Heritage Information - Traditional Buildings

Heritage information - Traditional Buildings. Produced with grateful thanks to the Sustainable Traditional Buildings Alliance (STBA)
Heat in Buildings Bill Consultation Scotland

Heat in Buildings Bill Consultation Scotland

The Scottish Government are consulting on proposals to make new laws around the energy efficiency of our homes and buildings and the way we heat those buildings.
Changes To The Building Control Process

Changes To The Building Control Process

Changes to the building control process for higher-risk buildings and wider changes to procedural building regulations applying to buildings in England.
Non-Conventional Housing - The Background & Retrofit Challenges

Non-Conventional Housing - The Background & Retrofit Challenges

A brief introduction to the history of non-conventional (non-traditional) housing in the UK and the challenges it presents to the retrofit process.
Retrofit Statistics - Are The Schemes Working?

Retrofit Statistics - Are The Schemes Working?

The Government publish regular statistics relating to energy efficiency as a whole and the impact the various schemes and initiatives are having on the drive towards net zero. In this post we've included links to some of the main statistics to monitor
Calls on Government to optimise effective nationwide retrofit programme

Calls on Government to optimise effective nationwide retrofit programme

External wall Insulation industry trade association calls on Government to optimise effective nationwide retrofit programme.
CSCS Industry Accreditation (IA) Cards

CSCS Industry Accreditation (IA) Cards

CSCS will cease renewing cards issued via Industry Accreditation from 30th June 2024, while all IA cards issued from 1st Jan 2020 will expire on 31st Dec 2024 and will not be renewed.
Gove announces long term plan for housing

Gove announces long term plan for housing

Michael Gove oulines the next stage in his long term plan for housing in a keynote speech made on 19th December 2023
The Future Homes and Buildings Standards: 2023 consultation

The Future Homes and Buildings Standards: 2023 consultation

DLUHC have launched a consultation on changes to Part 6, Part L and Part F of the Building Regulations for dwellings and non-domestic buildings and seeking evidence on Part O.
Preparing for the winter: Government Response

Preparing for the winter: Government Response

A government response to a report by the Energy Security and Net Zero Committee Committee on Preparing for the winter.
Open consultation Home Energy Model: replacement for SAP

Open consultation Home Energy Model: replacement for SAP

The government has opened consultation into its Future Homes and Buildings Standard, which will set regulations for house-building from 2025 - have your say by 6th March 2024.
PAS 2035:2023 - What's Changed?

PAS 2035:2023 - What's Changed?

In this feature we explain the main changes to the new PAS 2035/2030: 2023 - what's new and how it will affect you as an installer of specifier.
Wales Consultation Part B Fire Safetyof the  Building Regulations

Wales Consultation Part B Fire Safetyof the Building Regulations

The Welsh Government want your views on their plans to amend the building regulations for Approved Document Part B (Fire Safety).
Wales Consultation: Net Zero Sector Skills

Wales Consultation: Net Zero Sector Skills

The Welsh Government want your views on the skills needed to support transition to net zero for each emission sector in Wales.
Mission Zero Coalition Reports

Mission Zero Coalition Reports

Chris Skidmore launched the Mission Zero Coalition in March 2023 to build on the momentum from the Mission Zero report. Read about the work of the group and download the latest reports to be published.
PAS 2035/2030:2023 Published

PAS 2035/2030:2023 Published

The British Standards Institute (BSI) have published Publicly Available Standards (PAS) 2035/2030:2023, and it's now available at BSI’s webstore as a FREE download.
Energy Efficiency Taskforce Disbanded

Energy Efficiency Taskforce Disbanded

The Government's Energy Efficiency Taskforce, established to speed up home insulation and boiler upgrades, has been disbanded after just 7 months.
Welsh consultation on the Building Safety proposed definition of a higher-risk building

Welsh consultation on the Building Safety proposed definition of a higher-risk building

The Welsh Government has published the results of their February 2023 consultation into Building Safety and the proposed definition of higher-risk buildings
Great British Insulation Scheme Opens

Great British Insulation Scheme Opens

More than 300,000 homes in England, Scotland and Wales to get insulation installed, which could save families an average of £400 a year on their energy bills.
Energy Company Obligation Scheme - Open Consultation

Energy Company Obligation Scheme - Open Consultation

Energy Company Obligation schemes: Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) and Reduced Data SAP (RdSAP) amendments - open cnsultation launched
Up to 8,000 people will be trained to retrofit and install insulation

Up to 8,000 people will be trained to retrofit and install insulation

Courses are set to be free or heavily discounted and training providers across England can now bid for a share of £8.85 million government funding to offer the courses
UK Relaxes Immigration Rules For Construction Workers

UK Relaxes Immigration Rules For Construction Workers

Britain has added a number of construction roles to its "shortage occupation list", allowing the building industry to bring in staff from abroad more easily to help employers struggling to fill positions.
Consumer protection in green heating and insulation sector

Consumer protection in green heating and insulation sector

The Competitions and Markets Authority (CMA) publish a report setting out the findings from its call for information on consumer protection in the green heating and insulation sector. 
Household Energy Efficiency Statistics

Household Energy Efficiency Statistics

Each month the Government publish the latest statistics relation to household energy efficiency and the impact that the various schemes and initiatives are having.
External Wall Insulation and Window Replacements In Ealing

External Wall Insulation and Window Replacements In Ealing

InstaGroup has been supplying and installing External Wall insulation and replacement windows for homes in Ealing, Greater London through the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF). The 44 properties were constructed in the 1930s and 1940s.

 
SWIGA - About Us

SWIGA - About Us

Read about SWIGA, what we stand for, the benefits of membership and why you should can always relay on SWIGA members when it comes to solid wall insulation projects.
Ofgem Administration Consultation - Great British Insulation Scheme

Ofgem Administration Consultation - Great British Insulation Scheme

The Department of Energy Security and Net Zero has named Ofgem as the intended Administrator of the Great British Insulation Scheme (ECO+). They are now asking for your views on how this administartion should work.
SWIGA Industry Open Day 2023 - A Summary Of The Event

SWIGA Industry Open Day 2023 - A Summary Of The Event

Thanks to the presenters and all who attended the SWIGA Industry Open Day in April 2023 - here's a quick reminder of the key points which were addressed.
Energy Security and Net Zero Committee - New Chair

Energy Security and Net Zero Committee - New Chair

The Energy Security and Net Zero Committee scrutinises the policy, spending and administration of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and its public bodies.
Government Response To ECO+ Consultation

Government Response To ECO+ Consultation

The Government recently published its official response to the ECO+ (now  known as the Great British Insulation Scheme) consultaion it undertook in December 2022.
The Great British Insulation Scheme

The Great British Insulation Scheme

Within the publication of the "Powering Up Britain" document on 30th March 2023 lis the news that ECO and ECO+ are being rebranded as the Great British Insulation Scheme.
BSI PAS 2035/2030: 2023 Public Consultation

BSI PAS 2035/2030: 2023 Public Consultation

The Publicly Available Specification (PAS) 2035/2030 documents, published and owned by British Standards Institute (BSI), are currently undergoing a revision process and have launched a public consultation.
NEW Maintenance Guidance Manual For EWI

NEW Maintenance Guidance Manual For EWI

INCA, publish the new EWI Maintenance Guidance Manual ... and it's free for SWIGA members to download and use directly from this website!
Energy Efficiency Taskforce - Who's In?

Energy Efficiency Taskforce - Who's In?

On 16th March the Government announced the team of industry experts invited to  join the Energy Efficiency Taskforce and help boost energy efficiency. Who's in?
FREE Associate Membership Of SWIGA

FREE Associate Membership Of SWIGA

A reminder that our FREE Associate Membership for Local Authorities, Housing Associations and Social Landlords gives you access to a wealth of knowledge and support.
The New Energy Efficiency Taskforce

The New Energy Efficiency Taskforce

Alison Rose DBE, NatWest CEO, named Co-Chair of the Energy Efficiency Taskforce alongside Lord Callanan to spearhead efforts to reduce the UK’s energy consumption and cut household bills.
UK government confirms new Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

UK government confirms new Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

The UK Government has officially announced the creation of a new Government department - the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. But what does this mean and how will it effect our industry?
Chris Skidmore publishes his Net Zero Review

Chris Skidmore publishes his Net Zero Review

Former Energy Minister Chris Skidmore publishes his Net Zero Review, outlining the opportunities offered by net zero. His findings ; UK could do more to reap economic benefits of green growth!
Littlemoor House, Oldham

Littlemoor House, Oldham

Adapt and improve: 1970s tower block made safer, smarter and warmer
Fitzwarren Court, Salford

Fitzwarren Court, Salford

Ambitious improvements save tower block from demolition.
Non-Conventional Housing

Non-Conventional Housing

Did you know that SWIGA have a section of the Knowledge Hud dedicated to Non-Traditional forms of construction? 
Just one of the benefits to FREE SWIGA Associate Membership.
Case Studies - SWIGA Member Benefit

Case Studies - SWIGA Member Benefit

Did you know that one of the benefits of SWIGA membership is the opportunity to publish case studies which help get your company and the work that you do recognised by prospective clients and specifiers throughout the UK.
Recognition of CE Marking Extended

Recognition of CE Marking Extended

Businesses have been given UK product marking flexibility. CE Marking will continue to be recognised  giving industry an additional 2 years to apply new product safety marking.
ECO Plus Consultation - Have Your Say

ECO Plus Consultation - Have Your Say

BEIS have launched the awaited consultation on ECO + which gives you all the chance to have your say but you'll need to be quick as the consultation closes on 23rd December 2022.
Publicly Available Specifications (PAS) Explained

Publicly Available Specifications (PAS) Explained

This short feature is designed to clarify exactly what a  Publicly Available Specification (PAS) is and the relevent documents you need to be aware of in relation to Solid Wall Insulation
BEIS Update - October 2022

BEIS Update - October 2022

Yet more changes within Government and the current BEIS ministerial team is confirmed as follows ...
The Growth Plan 2022 To Expand ECO Funding

The Growth Plan 2022 To Expand ECO Funding

Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng presents the Govenment's Growth Pan 2022 which includes an additional £1bn of ECO funding and up to £2.1bn to support local authorities, housing associations, schools and hospitals invest in energy efficiency measures.
BEIS - Organisational Changes

BEIS - Organisational Changes

Following the appointment of a new PM and subsequent cabinet reshuffle the new ministerial team at BEIS is now confirmed
SWIGA Launches NEW Associate Membership For Housing Professionals

SWIGA Launches NEW Associate Membership For Housing Professionals

SWIGA announce a new FREE associate membership aimed at supporting Local Authorities, Housing Associations and Social Landlords with retrofit upgrades to solid wall properties and housing stock where external wall insulation is under consideration as a measure under PAS2035.
Register for the FREE webinar on 23rd September at 10:00 to learn more.
ECO & Funding For Solid Wall Insulation

ECO & Funding For Solid Wall Insulation

With ECO4 legislation now officially in place SWIGA have published a comprehensive feature detailing all available grant funding streams in respect of solid wall insulation. Mant thanks to E-ON for this information
Changes to BEIS Ministerial Team

Changes to BEIS Ministerial Team

The work of the Government continues at pace.

As such, BEIS have announced changes to their Ministerial team which will continue to deliver for businesses, industry and energy consumers in the weeks ahead.
The Electricity and Gas (Energy Company Obligation) Order 2022

The Electricity and Gas (Energy Company Obligation) Order 2022

At long last, the overdue news that we've been waiting for ... ECO draft legislation has now been officially laid before Parliament.

This means that we can expect the legislation to be formalised before Parliamentary recess at the end of July and hence avoiding any further delays.
Stratford High Street

Stratford High Street

This project for London Borough of Newham involved the replacement of combustible cladding systems with non-combustible alternative by Lawtech Group.
How insulation can help curb Russian gas use

How insulation can help curb Russian gas use

A poll for the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit found that 84% of those asked about the action the Government should take to curb reliance on gas from Russia thought insulation was very or fairly important.
AGM and presentation of Governments Response to the ECO4 consultation document

AGM and presentation of Governments Response to the ECO4 consultation document

SWIGA held their 8th AGM on Thursday 31st March. The event was well attended with over 60 delegates representing Solid Wall insulation contractors and system developers.

There was an excellent line up of speakers headlined by Andrej Miller, Team leader - Energy Company Obligation and Warm Home Discount BEIS who provide details of the response to ECO 4 consultation.
 
Stamp Duty Incentive

Stamp Duty Incentive

Business Coalition calls for Energy Saving Stamp Duty Incentive.

Please see comments and attached suppoting commentry from the Building Performance Network.
Development of PAS 2030 details for EWI - Andrew Champ - SWIGA Chief Executive

Development of PAS 2030 details for EWI - Andrew Champ - SWIGA Chief Executive

We have received confirmation from BEIS that it is not a necessity to go below ground with the insulation to comply with PAS. We have been working on this for several months in cooperation with the NIA. Case studies were also provided by some of our members. Critically, during the process we liaised with all stake holders including Trustmark  to ensure that the changes did not compromise compliance and technical monitoring.
 
BEIS announcement 
Building Safety Programme: estimates of EWS1 requirements on residential buildings in England

Building Safety Programme: estimates of EWS1 requirements on residential buildings in England

MHCLG has conducted indicative analysis on the cladding coverage of residential buildings and the number of leasehold dwellings in those buildings. From this analysis:

It is now estimated that 492,000 leaseholders (up from 431,000) in residential buildings greater than 11m in height (more than 3 storeys) do not need to undergo an external wall survey process (EWS1) for their building in order for them to sell their property or re-mortgage.
£2 Billion Green Homes Grant

£2 Billion Green Homes Grant

Tradespeople are urged to sign up for TrustMark accreditation as part of the new Green Homes Grant scheme.

Builders, plumbers, and other tradespeople across England will need a government-backed seal of approval to provide their services as part of the new £2 billion Green Homes Grant
Nottingham City Homes

Nottingham City Homes

This £11million high rise retirement village development is part of Nottingham City Homes (NCH) and Nottingham City Council’s Building a Better Nottingham retrofit programme.
Raeburn Heights

Raeburn Heights

This rendered insulation system provided not only a face lift to this tired 1960’s high rise block but provided protection to its structure giving it at least a further 25 years of life.
Plas Madoc

Plas Madoc

Part of 210 house £2m scheme by Wrexham Council to modernise 1960s Lowton Cubitt steel frame houses, to ensure they achieved the Welsh Governments Welsh housing quality standard by 2020. 
Mossblown

Mossblown

Working with the Energy Agency East Ayrshires Council combined there own funding with various grants available to them including ECO, HEEPS (ABS), CESP. To allow this combination of social housing and private properties to be refurbished.
Bracknell Domestic

Bracknell Domestic

Solid Wall Insulation successfully transformed the tired, stained exterior of this home in Bracknell to its fresh, clean look brimming with kerb appeal – while massively improving its energy efficiency
Chesterfield

Chesterfield

The installation of 558 council-owned properties in Chesterfield entailed installing EWI and weatherproof decorative render to a mixture of houses and low-rise blocks, all of which were originally built with solid walls and therefore exhibited poor heat retention. 
 Fraserburgh

Fraserburgh

This project involved the refurbishment of 107 two storey properties. The properties were system-built McRae type properties, timber framed with an external façade made up of Glass Reinforced Concrete. 
Gosport Towers

Gosport Towers

The town of Gosport on the south coast of England has seen five1960’s tower blocks undergo a much needed upgrade; Garland Court, Harbour Tower, Seaward Tower, Blake Court and Hammond Court - all owned by Hyde Housing Group.
Wokingham Private Home

Wokingham Private Home

The homeowner complained of the upstairs front bedrooms being ‘’absolutely freezing in winter,” The front of the houses in this particular area are traditionally tile-hung, and that was the problem. 
Flintshire County Council

Flintshire County Council

Flintshire County Council identified 250 local properties that had solid walls and were therefore hard to heat and expensive to keep warm. They were a mix of social housing and privately owned homes. 
Cheltenham Borough Homes

Cheltenham Borough Homes

This project was for the Structural Refurbishment of 36 Cornish Type I consisting of 4x two-storey blocks of flats containing 16 flats (2 leasehold) and 16 semi-detached/end terrace and 4 mid-terrace houses. All homes will be occupied for the duration of the works.
Broxtowe District  Council

Broxtowe District Council

Sustainable Building Services (SBS) was awarded this contract to deliver Energy Efficiency Improvement Works to 180 occupied properties on behalf of Broxtowe Council under the Efficiency East Midlands Framework.
Nottingham City Homes

Nottingham City Homes

The installation of external wall insulation (EWI) to over 1,100 private and social housing properties. The work was procured by Nottingham City Homes (NCH) via the Efficiency East Midlands (EEM) solid wall insulation framework.
Why a SWIGA Guarantee?

Why a SWIGA Guarantee?

The SWIGA Guarantee provides householders with an independent, uniform and dependable warranty covering professionally installed external wall insulation systems.
Why Join SWIGA?

Why Join SWIGA?

There are three types of SWIGA membership; System Holder Membership, Installation Contractor Membership and the FREE Associate Membership.
What is Solid Wall Insulation?

What is Solid Wall Insulation?

Solid Wall Insulation (SWI) provides a thermal layer for existing buildings that don't have a cavity wall or are classed as non-traditional or hard-to-treat properties.
Green Homes Grant and Local Authority Delivery Scheme Information

Green Homes Grant and Local Authority Delivery Scheme Information

See these useful links to important official doccumentation and publications relating to the Green Homes Grant and Local Authority Delivery Scheme information.
Net Zero Skills Survey

Net Zero Skills Survey

Net Zero: what does it mean for you?

The UK Government is legally bound to reduce emissions to net zero by 2050, which will require a huge shared effort.
NIA calls for energy efficiency revolution to support economic recovery and the NHS

NIA calls for energy efficiency revolution to support economic recovery and the NHS

The NIA has launched a report today, calling for the Home Upgrades Grant Scheme promised in the 2019 Conservative Manifesto to be fast-tracked as part of the green recovery, providing a considered view on  how the scheme might work.

Read the full report and proposals.
Coronavirus: Home insulation 'could create cheap jobs'

Coronavirus: Home insulation 'could create cheap jobs'

Making people's homes cosy is the cheapest way to create jobs as the UK prepares to fight recession, a report says.

The figures will be sent to the Treasury, which is reviewing a package of job stimulus measures for July.
£1b extra funding added to £600m for high rise strip off’s And update to Hackett

£1b extra funding added to £600m for high rise strip off’s And update to Hackett

In the March 2020 budget, the Government announced that it will provide £1 billion in 2020/21 to support the remediation of unsafe non-ACM cladding systems1 on residential buildings 18 metres and over in both the private and social housing sectors.
Government letter on building safety reforms

Government letter on building safety reforms

UPDATES ON BUILDING SAFETY REFORMS We are approaching three years since the tragic fire at Grenfell Tower.

I am also writing to update you on the action we are taking to ensure residents are safe in their homes.
Secretary of State for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy writes to the construction industry.

Secretary of State for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy writes to the construction industry.

The Rt HOon Alok Sharma MP and Secretary of State for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy writes to the construction industry.
Government support available for business’s and employees affected by the Coronavirus epidemic

Government support available for business’s and employees affected by the Coronavirus epidemic

England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland Governments highlight the support available for business’s and employees affected by the Coronavirus epidemic
COVID-19 SWIGA Update

COVID-19 SWIGA Update

SWIGA have followed the latest government advice regarding unnecessary travel and social distancing which has a profound consequence for the welfare of our staff, customers and associates.