£3 billion plan for green homes and buildings launches

A £3 billion plan has launched to deliver green homes, schools and hospitals across England, as part of government stimulus for the construction sector.

The Green Homes Grant has opened for businesses to provide homeowners with environmental upgrades, such as insulation and low-carbon heating. Homeowners will see the government fund up to two-thirds of the cost of improvements, up to £5000, with low-income homeowners receiving 100% of costs up to £10,000.

For the private rental sector, a consultation has launched on how to upgrade these properties by 2028 and landlords will now have to ensure properties meet Energy Performance Certificate Band C requirements as a minimum. Landlords will be able to utilise the Green Homes Grant to meet costs of improvements on their portfolio.

As well as reducing carbon footprint of homes, the scheme aims to reduce household bills by up to £600 a year, and support over 100,000 jobs in trades and construction following the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

The £2 billion Green Homes Grant will be supplemented with a further £1 billion investment in public buildings across England, including schools, hospitals and social housing. The Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme will help government departments, NHS trusts, schools and local authorities to improve energy efficiency of buildings and reduce carbon emissions, supporting an estimated 30,000 jobs.

As well as providing stimulus to the economy following the coronavirus pandemic, the measures also aim to meet the UK’s target of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.

Business and Energy Secretary Alok Sharma said:

Our plan to upgrade the nation’s buildings and help build back better is good news for jobs, the environment and people’s back pockets, as we reduce emissions and help cut energy bills.

“I urge everyone to visit the Green Home Grants website to see how they can make the most of this fantastic scheme.”

Chancellor Rishi Sunak said:

We promised to support jobs and protect the environment – and the Green Homes Grant delivers on this. We’re giving homeowners, landlords and local authorities the funding they need to hire local tradespeople and make our homes more energy efficient. By supporting the green van men and women, we’ll save money, save jobs and save the planet.”