National Warm Homes Council

Partnering to deliver the Warm Homes Plan

The UK has the least insulated and energy efficient homes in Western Europe, causing fuel poverty and high energy bills for families. Our energy inefficient homes also hamper net zero ambitions, with 20% of the UK’s carbon emissions coming from housing.

The National Warm Homes Council (NWHC) is a new group of UK SMEs who share the Government’s goal to slash fuel poverty and improve energy efficiency in British homes.

Our members – for example LoftZone and its innovative product of loft insulation protection – are already helping families access affordable measures to help save hundreds of pounds. The UK has a burgeoning insulation and energy efficiency industry and the NWHC represents the SME part of that. We can play a key role in the development of the Warm Homes Plan and look forward to working with the Government to effectively deliver it.

Case Study: LoftZone and its innovative energy efficiency loft insulation protection product. You can read more about LoftZone’s proven record in scaling carbon savings and saving money for households here.

Retrofitting homes with energy efficiency measures can benefit almost all households, across every constituency. To supercharge the delivery of the Warm Homes Plan (WHP), the government should consider:

1. Make the WHP a political priority, to slash fuel poverty for the long-term.

While many measures will take time to design and implement, the government can increase access to affordable measures now by expanding the VAT exemption for ready to scale energy-saving equipment, such as loft insulation protection and smart thermal stores.
The government should use the Future Homes Standard (FHS) to mandate insulation protection for loft insulation in new builds, to improve energy efficiency of homes from the start.
The Home Energy Model (HEM) should reform EPCs to include lifetime emissions and recognise the benefits of loft insulation in cutting these.

2. Invest in the UK’s home energy efficiency supply chain.

There is a burgeoning UK industry for insulation and energy efficiency, however skills shortages and supply chain constraints is hindering its development.
The WHP must implement a robust programme which drives demand and boosts supply. Key to this is raising awareness of affordable innovations that can improve energy efficiency, such as loft insulation protection.
Expanding the VAT exemption for energy-saving materials and equipment will increase access and affordability of measures for families.

3. Partner with the SME community to develop and deliver the WHP.

A WHP which supports SMEs will drive local growth and increase access to affordable measures for households across the UK. We call on the government to provide a suitable voice for SMEs in the development and delivery of the WHP.
British SMEs are bringing affordable innovations to the market to transform the energy efficiency of our homes. Read more here about how LoftZone’s insulation protection – already installed in over 100,000 UK homes – has had a positive impact on the decarbonisation of homes.
SMEs are best placed to share insights from their local markets and consumer habits – both necessary to ensure widespread uptake of energy saving measures.

What is the government’s Warm Homes Plan?

In their 2024 General Election Manifesto, the Labour Party committed to investing an extra £6.6 billion over the next parliament to improve energy efficiency, upgrade five million homes and cut bills for families.

The Warm Homes Plan anticipates offering grants and low interest loans to support investment in energy efficiency and will include partnerships with local and devolved governments to roll out the plan.

The Government is expected to design and implement their Warm Homes Plan in the near future, and the National Warm Homes Council stands ready to provide support and expertise.

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