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The Government has announced its Warm Homes Plan

January 21, 2026

The Government has announced the Warm Homes Plan, which aims to help millions of families reduce their energy bills through measures such as solar panels, batteries, heat pumps, and insulation.

Commenting on the announcement, Matt Cole, Chief Executive of the Fuel Bank Foundation, said:

“The UK is in the midst of an energy affordability crisis, and it’s leaving people across the country in the lurch. Hopefully the Warm Homes Plan will help to address this crisis, building on the Government’s action announced in the Budget to reduce energy bills.

“The sad truth is that fuel poverty affects millions across the UK, and it’s getting worse. In 2025 alone, we supported over 42,000 people in London, including nearly 16,000 children. Across the UK, we supported over 430,000 people.

“Eligibility in the Warm Homes Plan ought to capture a large proportion of households, driving uptake of energy saving measures and empowering households through better retrofit advice. However, support must be extended to more households and aim higher in our EPC rating standards to ensure everyone has a safe, warm and affordable to run home – especially as 40% of the people we support live in a home with an EPC rating of D or below."

Matt Cole, CEO Fuel Bank Foundation

“And it’s important people understand exactly what living in fuel poverty is like. It’s often portrayed as simply choosing between heating or eating, and while this is a choice no one should have to make, it’s not the only impact of fuel poverty. It’s children unable to do their homework and families unable to reach out for support as they can’t charge phones or laptops. It’s not being able to sit down and watch The Traitors finale this week, or any of your favourite programmes as having the telly on is too expensive. It’s choosing whether to shower or to wash your clothes, as you can only afford one.

“So, we welcome the Warm Homes Plan and hope to see real change enacted to supported the millions of people suffering through the energy affordability crisis.”