The Warm Homes Plan 2026: What England's New Scheme Means for Wales

The UK Government recently made waves with the launch of the Warm Homes Plan, a massive £15 billion initiative designed to upgrade five million homes, slash energy bills, and tackle fuel poverty across the country.

For our readers in Wales, the news that Warm Homes: Local Grant is now operational in England might look like a case of "the grass is greener.". However, there is a lot more to the story. This scheme is essentially expanding a "whole-house" model that we have been using in Wales for years, and it brings exciting changes to the broader UK energy landscape.

1. Is the Welsh Model Going National?

In many ways, yes. The new Warm Homes: Local Grant (for private owners and renters) and the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund mirror our own Nest and Optimised Retrofit programs.

The new English grant provides up to £30,000 for low-income households in properties rated EPC D-G—covering everything from insulation to solar panels and heat pumps. This reflects the "fabric first" approach that the Welsh Government pioneered.

2. What This Means for Wales Residents

While the specific "Warm Homes: Local Grant" is for properties in England, the £15 billion pot includes specific funding allocations for devolved governments in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland

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This ensures that homes across the entire country can benefit from comparable upgrades. For us in Wales, support continues through:

• Nest: Our flagship program for free home energy improvements if you are on a low income or receiving certain benefits.

• Green Homes Wales: Offering interest-free loans and expert support for larger renewable upgrades like heat pumps.

• Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS): This is a UK-wide grant (including Wales) offering £7,500 towards heat pump installations for any homeowner, regardless of income.

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3. Exciting News: PV Batteries are Now "Standard"

A major win in the latest guidance is the formal inclusion of PV batteries. For the first time, these measures are officially eligible for the grant when paired with solar panels. This technology allows you to store the energy you generate during the day for use at night, which is a game-changer for reducing bills.

4. How to Check Your Eligibility Today

If you are living in Wales and want to take advantage of these new investments, don't wait for an English grant. The Welsh schemes are often more established and accessible.

Your Situation	Recommended Scheme
Low Income / EPC D or lower	Nest Wales
Social Housing Tenant	Optimised Retrofit Programme
Ready for a Heat Pump	Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS)
Want to borrow for solar/battery	Green Homes Wales

Need help navigating the cross-border grants?

We are here to help you understand which pot of funding you can tap into for your next project.

Would you like us to run a free eligibility check on your property or discuss which new technologies—like PV batteries—could work for your home?