The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has responded to the announcement of the Government’s ECO+ scheme – intended to improve the energy efficiency of hundreds of thousands of homes.
The new ECO+ scheme will extend support to those who do not currently benefit from any other government support to upgrade their homes. Joining the existing £6.6 billion ‘Help to Heat’ energy schemes this new £1 billion funding will ensure hundreds of thousands more households benefit from new home insulation and with that, lower bills.
Plus, a new £18 million public information campaign will also offer technical tips and advice for people to cut their energy use, while also keeping warm this winter. Alongside the impact on their bills from the Energy Price Guarantee, the campaign will demonstrate how consumers can make significant savings.
RIBA President Simon Allford said: “As the world grapples with the climate crisis and soaring energy prices, additional funding to improve the energy efficiency of the UK’s housing stock is welcome a step in the right direction.
“Whilst this announcement fills some of the funding gap in the owner-occupier sector it still falls short of the comprehensive National Retrofit Strategy we have long been calling for.
“We will be responding to the consultation to ensure ECO+ works effectively and avoids the pitfalls of previous schemes. It’s crucial we get this right - for both people and the planet. We will continue to work with policy makers to ensure this becomes reality.”
Support for homeowners to make their homes warmer and cheaper to heat is welcome, but this short-term focus on single measures must be followed by a long-term comprehensive plan to retrofit all of the UK's 28 million leaky and energy inefficient homes, says the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).
Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: “I welcome any move to improve the UK’s leaky and draughty homes and making them cheaper to heat. ECO+ is a step in the right direction, targeting a much wider section of homes-owners, but it must not be considered 'job done' by the Government.
“I’m also cautious about rollout of the scheme; consultation with industry is non-negotiable, to avoid a repeat of failures of the Green Homes Grant Scheme and we must ensure that installation is of the highest quality.
“Ultimately, to give homeowners and the industry confidence, we need a broader whole-house approach to retrofit, rather than a piecemeal policy.”
