The government has also announced a new Warm Homes: Local Grant to help low-income homeowners and private tenants with energy performance upgrades and cleaner heating, and confirmed the continuation of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, as well as the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund, which replaces the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund, to support social housing providers and tenants.
Guidance for Local Authorities on the new Warm Homes: Local Grant, which replaces the Local Authority Delivery scheme, and which will start delivery in 2025. The expression of interest window for local authorities wishing to participate will open in October this year. Low-income, private tenants will be eligible for support, with the agreement of their landlord. Private tenants are also eligible for support under the Energy Company Obligation. Further details of the Warm Homes Plan will be set out through the Spending Review
Consultation due on raising EPCs to C in private and SH sectors https://www.gov.uk/government/news/home-upgrade-revolution-as-renters-set-for-warmer-homes-and-cheaper-bills
Cross party PSR data sharing takes a step forward with Ofgem and Ofwat meeting https://www.ofwat.gov.uk/regulators-and-industry-drive-plans-to-step-up-support-for-vulnerable-consumers/
This year’s guidance on Warm Home Discount eligibility has just been issued https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66dafb47608fb761b68111cf/warm-home-discount-eligibility_statement-2024.pdf
OVO Energy – Ofgem anouncement
We have published the outcome of our completed investigation into OVO Energy.
The investigation found that 1,395 OVO customers were affected, including long delays in having their complaint addressed (with some taking up to 18 months) alongside delays actioning the Energy Ombudsman’s complaints decisions/rulings.
OVO Energy has agreed to pay £2.37million in compensation and redress payments after Ofgem identified failings in how the supplier handles complaints. This is broken down to £378,512 in compensation, and £2million in redress.
If you have any questions in relation to this, please contact stakeholders@ofgem.gov.uk.
Stakeholder Team
Update to grants and funding: DWP announces extension to HSF https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-support-extended-to-help-struggling-households-with-bills-and-essential-costs-over-winter
BG reopens its individuals and families grant funding https://britishgasenergytrust.org.uk/news-research/trust-encourages-pensioners-to-apply-for-energy-support/
- Here’s Ofgem’s full announcement on price cap increase https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/press-release/customers-urged-shop-around-price-cap-rises-because-global-market including a call for views on ‘options’ for standing charges https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/call-for-input/standing-charges-domestic-retail-options
And here is the options paper https://consult.ofgem.gov.uk/energy-supply/standing-charges-domestic-retail-options/supporting_documents/standing_charges_domestic_retail_options.pdf .
NEA’s response to latest price cap announcement – including estimates of 400k people will be pulled into fuel poverty https://www.nea.org.uk/news/october-energy-bill-rise-to-plunge-400000-more-uk-households-into-fuel-poverty-this-winter/
Latest update from Committee on Fuel Poverty shows that ‘no meaningful’ fall in 5 years Fuel poverty has not fallen ‘to any meaningful extent’ in 5 years – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) and its full report Committee on Fuel Poverty annual report: 2024 – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
CSE has published its full report on behalf of DESNZ and the Committee on Fuel Poverty “Understanding the barriers and enablers to supporting fuel poor households to achieve net zero”
Summary of Key findings of the research
Our research reinforced some known issues and uncovered new insights:
- It’s tricky to identify and reach those who need help most.
- Many people don’t trust information about energy or the companies involved.
But we also found solutions:
- One-stop shops provide support at all stages of the customer journey for energy improvements.
- Tailored, flexible installation options are needed particularly for those with a disability or health issues.
- Local, community-based approaches to home upgrades are particularly successful.
- Better follow-up and support after improvements are made to monitor the quality of retrofit and help people get the most from new technologies