In a bold and timely move, Chancellor Rachel Reeves has announced an expansion of the UK’s Warm Homes Plan, backed by a staggering £13.2 billion investment as part of her Spending Review. This announcement signals a serious shift in the government’s approach to energy efficiency, one rooted in long-term planning, fairness, and economic impact.
The Warm Homes Plan is designed to transform how we heat and power our homes, with a focus on upgrading millions of properties across the country. Reeves was clear in her ambition: to reduce energy bills not just for this winter, but for years to come. Her words were backed by action, with targeted funding for areas such as Blackpool (£30 million), Rugby (£11 million) and Bradford (£7 million), ensuring that some of the most disadvantaged communities will feel the benefit first.
One of the most welcome parts of the plan is the renewed focus on low-income households and pensioners. The government will now restore Winter Fuel Payments to over nine million pensioners earning under £35,000 a year — a move that reverses a previous policy and is expected to save individuals up to £600 annually on their bills. This decision, alongside enhanced insulation, solar panel installations, and heat pump rollouts, will mean that the UK’s most vulnerable residents are no longer left to suffer in cold, inefficient homes.
Looking forward, all new homes will be required to include renewable energy systems like solar panels and heat pumps through the Future Homes Standard, expected to come into force by 2027. For homeowners, that translates to an estimated £530 in annual savings, and for the environment, it’s another step toward reducing emissions from the residential sector.
Crucially, this isn’t just good news for residents, it brings much-needed stability and certainty to the UK’s energy efficiency supply chain. For too long, retrofit providers, solar installers, and green heating specialists have operated under inconsistent policy signals and stop-start funding. The new long-term commitment enables companies like ours to invest in jobs, training, and innovation with confidence. It also strengthens the foundations for meaningful partnerships between local authorities, installers, and technology developers. For us at One Energy, this means doubling down on our work with community organisations and building technology to streamline access to grants and upgrade journeys for households across East Lancashire and beyond.
Simon Francis of the End Fuel Poverty Coalition welcomed the announcement, calling it “a huge step forward for households suffering in cold, damp homes.” But he also pointed out that more is needed, including a social tariff to protect vulnerable energy users, reform of standing charges, and changes to how electricity is priced in the UK. These are issues that, if addressed alongside the Warm Homes Plan, could create a fairer, more sustainable energy system for everyone.
As the country looks ahead to winters that are not defined by hardship and energy anxiety, this investment is a clear signal of intent. It’s about helping families and pensioners keep warm, reducing emissions, creating jobs, and building a future in which homes are affordable, efficient, and comfortable.
At One Energy, we’re proud to support this mission. Whether you’re a homeowner, landlord, or local authority, we’re here to help you make the most of this moment. The opportunity is real, and together, we can turn this investment into lasting impact.
For more, you can read the original coverage via GB News, The Times, and Reuters. If you’re ready to explore how you or your community can benefit from the Warm Homes Plan, visit oneenergy.co.uk/lancashire or call us on 0808 196 1199.
Let us help you warm up to a better, more sustainable future!
