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Earlier this week, the Government unveiled its Warm Homes Plan, with £15 billion of public investment announced to help millions of families benefit from solar panels, batteries, heat pumps and insulation that can cut energy bills.
Here’s what industry has had to say…
ECA
Keith Sanderson, Head of Skills Delivery at ECA, said:
“With a shrinking electrical workforce, it is disappointing the Warm Homes Plan does not provide any support or incentives to training providers or businesses offering apprenticeships. As technologies become more complex and digital systems require increasing integration, upskilling will not solve all the needs of the energy transition. Apprenticeships remain industry’s preferred training route. Short upskilling courses can only deliver if they are developed with genuine input from the industry.”
Jane Dawson, Head of External Affairs at ECA, added:
“The twice delayed and highly anticipated Warm Homes Plan provides little solace for the electrical contracting industry. Electrical installers, who deliver the ‘final mile’ of electrical cabling, technologies and systems, are notably without representation on the new Warm Homes Workforce Taskforce. This leaves the UK’s energy transition in peril. A Taskforce without an understanding of the competence and safety standards required risks training a workforce unprepared for the challenges ahead – and that potentially puts lives at risk.”
NICEIC
Paul Collins, Technical Director at NICEIC, commented:
“We welcome the Government’s Warm Homes Plan, which brings much‑needed certainty for householders, installers and the wider industry.
“Investment at this scale will boost demand for high‑quality renewable installations, creating significant opportunities for skilled and qualified installers. It also gives those seeking to upskill the confidence to invest in their future – a crucial enabler for delivering the plan at scale.
“As the focus shifts from policy to delivery, building a sufficiently skilled and competent workforce will be essential to meeting demand. We are eager to see more detail on the support available for apprenticeships and the upskilling of the current workforce.
“NICEIC‑certified businesses will play an integral role in delivering the Warm Homes Plan. We will continue to support them through certification and training, helping them to demonstrate their technical competence, and uphold the highest professional standards as the sector scales up.”
Heat Pump Association UK
Charlotte Lee, Chief Executive of Heat Pump Association UK, said:
“[The] publication, and the £15 billion confirmed to deliver the Warm Homes Plan, send a strong signal to both industry and consumers that the shift to clean, affordable, electrified heat remains a priority for this Government. The plan acknowledges the vital role of heat pumps as a proven, scalable solution that can lower energy bills, improve comfort, and reduce carbon emissions for homes and buildings across the UK.
“The plan confirms support for low‑income households, enhanced affordable finance options, and an increased and extended Boiler Upgrade Scheme, which demonstrates a focus on making warm, low carbon homes a reality for everyone.
“Whilst the plan sets out a clear vision and spending allocation to support the decarbonisation of homes, it is disappointing and a missed opportunity not to see the same for the decarbonisation of commercial and public sector buildings or confirmation of further action to tackle the high price of electricity relative to gas. We urge the Government to consult and take action to unlock meaningful progress in these areas.
“The sector now eagerly awaits the publication of the Future Homes and Buildings Standard Regulations, which are essential to underpin demand in the market and unlock positive investment decisions in the manufacturing and installation of heat pumps.
“We will continue to work with Government and industry partners to support the sector and translate this plan into real progress on the ground.”
Schneider Electric
Layton Hill, Vice President of Strategy for UK and Ireland at Schneider Electric, said:
“[The] Warm Homes Plan clearly signals the UK’s commitment to Clean Power 2030 and decarbonising the wider UK economy – with clear incentives to accelerate the rollout of electrified heating and digital technologies for UK households. Electrification is critical to driving down costs for households and industry alike – it’s a cost-of-living strategy, one that can also lead to new jobs.
“Implementation will be key to the success of the Warm Homes Plan. Previous schemes to incentivise decarbonisation of UK housing stock at scale were undermined by overly complex applications processes that discouraged homeowners from participating. It’s encouraging to see the Plan is supported by robust financing. What will be essential to driving public interest and uptake is that the policy prioritises simplicity and ease of access.
“Domestic energy policies cannot operate in isolation. If the Government is serious about delivering electrified heat to UK households, then we need whole systems thinking to ensure that increased electrical demand is matched by complementary investments to increase the capacity of the UK’s electrical networks. We will be examining the next round of NESO’s Future Energy Scenarios and Ofgem’s highly anticipated RIIO-ED3 electricity distribution price control framework to enable these essential infrastructure investments.”
MCS
Ian Rippin, CEO at MCS, commented:
“MCS welcomes the Warm Homes Plan and the Government’s commitment to transforming UK homes, by providing funding for a range of low-carbon technologies that unlocks greater choice for consumers. In particular, the Plan builds on the strong momentum for solar – following a record year for MCS certified installations in 2025 – to set out further support for the sector. It’s also positive to see recognition of the value of combining multiple technologies, with specific reference to the benefits of solar, battery and heat pumps within the same property.
“Policy certainty is crucial for the ongoing growth of the sector, which is why it’s great to see confirmation that the Boiler Upgrade Scheme has been extended until 2030, with funding to increase year-on-year. The inclusion of additional financial support through zero and low interest loans, as well as a commitment to providing free upgrades for low-income homes, is a positive step. However, with the Plan stating there will be further details announced in the Spring, MCS will continue to work closely with stakeholders and Government to ensure the needs of our industry are reflected during any gap in funding or support for households following the end of ECO4.
“It’s critical that, as installation volumes rise, there is an assurance of ongoing quality outcomes for consumers. This is true for retrofit installations and those going onto new builds – with the upcoming Future Homes Standard set to mandate rooftop solar. MCS’s redeveloped installer Scheme, which is rolling out over the coming months, is recognised in the Warm Homes Plan as being set to play a pivotal role in providing this assurance. It puts consumer protection and delivered quality first, which is vital in giving everyone the confidence they need to invest in home-grown energy.
“As the sole certification Scheme for clean heat measures, MCS is proud to be supporting the implementation of the Warm Homes Plan, including the expanded Boiler Upgrade Scheme. We are currently integrating emerging technologies into the Scheme – with air-to-air heat pumps and thermal energy storage systems, or heat batteries, set to be added into the scope of MCS this year. Being able to offer MCS certification for these technologies provides assurance to consumers about the quality of the installations of these technologies.”
BEAMA
Yselkla Farmer, CEO of BEAMA, said:
“[The] publication of the Warm Homes Plan provides long-awaited clarity on the UK Government’s vision for clean heat, with a welcome £15 billion investment in rooftop solar generation and a range of low carbon heating technologies. The Plan sends a strong and clear signal that the future of UK clean heat is electric.
“BEAMA strongly welcomes this progress, while urging the Government to go further. Our industry’s priority has always been to work in collaboration with the UK Government to deliver our shared ambition to boost consumer choice for low carbon heating solutions; maximise energy system flexibility; and prioritise whole systems thinking linking electrification of heat and transport with targeted investments in smarter energy network infrastructure. Only through aligning all related policies can Government deliver the ambition of the Clean Growth Plan, Industrial Strategy and our focused work on Sector Growth.
“The Warm Homes Plan makes strong steps towards these shared goals, but needs to be supported within the next six months by other associated policies – including SSES, Future Homes Standard, Energy Performance Certificate reforms, and additional incentives for a wider range of low carbon heating technologies through the Home Energy Model – to build upon and successfully implement the policy framework outlined within [the] Warm Homes Plan. ONS data estimates over 14.8 million (52%) of UK homes have an energy efficiency rating of band D or below. By aligning all of these policies, the UK has the opportunity to implement one of the most ambitious and comprehensive heat decarbonisation approaches in the world. And only by addressing the above and tying together all policy strands will we unlock investment and growth.
“Echoing the observations of ESNZ select committee chair Bill Esterson MP, we urge the UK Government to go further to address the ‘spark gap’. Reducing the cost of electricity is the strongest market signal the UK Government can send to encourage consumers to go green by electrifying heat. As the UK continues to make progress building low cost, renewable electricity generation, we will be working with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero to explore additional policy options to reduce electricity bills for households across the country.
“Additionally, we would urge caution around promoting the benefits of summer cooling using air-to-air heat pumps, as this risks a double penalty to household energy bills whilst removing opportunities to benefit from flexible tariffs, reduced bills and comfort for many homes.
“We also welcome a more regional dimension, mirroring an approach BEAMA has championed for nearly 10 years. Similarly we have made the case for independent advice for households coupled with quality installations, so the introduction of a Warm Homes Agency is long overdue and will pick up the gap created when the national Energy Efficiency Advice Centre network was dismantled over a decade ago. It is critical to avoid mis-selling and also ensure homes are not only well insulated and heated but also ventilated appropriately to prevent damp and mould issues.
“Finally, it is critical that the measures in this Plan and others to come this year are repeatedly publicised far and wide, forming a national mission to improve our housing stock. This would give confidence to industry and investors of the Government’s commitment, and ensure householders access the benefits on offer.
“Overall, BEAMA supports the UK Government renewed ambition with the Warm Homes Plan, but urge them to go further with bold implementation driving transformative change. This will deliver a win-win-win for the UK accelerating decarbonisation of the UK economy; supercharging industrial growth; and drive down household bills for UK consumers.”
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