The government’s response following its consultation on the Great British Insulation Scheme (previously titled and consulted on as Energy Company Obligation Plus (ECO+)) was published on 30th March 2023. In it it summarises the responses received and related government decisions in implementing the scheme.

Download The Full Consultation Response >

The consultation set out the government’s proposals to obligate larger energy suppliers to deliver predominantly insulation measures to a wide range of households living in the least efficient homes to reduce annual heating bills.

Talking about the scheme Lord Callanan, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Energy Efficiency and Green Finance, said:

"The Energy Company Obligation (ECO) is one of the government’s most successful schemes for improving domestic energy efficiency. It obligates the larger energy suppliers to deliver bill savings for households by installing energy efficiency measures. Since it began in 2013 it has delivered around 3.5 million measures in around 2.4 million properties. Around 9% of households in Great Britain have had an ECO measure installed. The latest iteration, ECO4, is expected to deliver energy efficiency measures to an estimated 450,000 low-income and vulnerable households.

However, this support only goes so far. In response to persistently high energy prices, we are extending the support available through a new ECO energy efficiency scheme: the Great British Insulation Scheme (known hereafter as ‘the Scheme’). Previously titled and consulted on as ECO+, it broadens the eligibility pool beyond the low-income and vulnerable households that ECO4 prioritises, to millions of others who do not currently benefit from government support to upgrade their homes. We have renamed the scheme to help with consumer recognition and better explain the energy efficiency support available."

Having considered the responses, the government intends to proceed with plans to introduce the scheme from Spring 2023 until March 2026. The scheme will boost help for those on low incomes as well as extending support to households living in homes in the lower council tax bands (A to D in England, A to E in Scotland and Wales), with an Energy Performance Certificate rating of D and below.

• The response includes detailed information about scheme implementation, including in relation to:energy supplier obligations and annual targets
• household eligibility for both a ‘general group’ and ‘low-income group’.
• measures that households can receive through the scheme, with higher cost measures more likely to require a household contribution.

Download The Full Consultation Response >