Consultation on Amending Reference to the Warm Front Scheme Eligibility Criteria - closes 9th February 2011
The Government is proposing to revise the scope of the Warm Front [External link] scheme as described in UK Fuel Poverty Strategy 2001 to ensure that the help available is better targeted at those in fuel poverty or most vulnerable to it. The intention is to direct Warm Front assistance in England at households of older people, long term sick, disabled or those with young children who are on a low income and have a high propensity to fuel poverty. The Government further intends to target those households where the thermal efficiency is low. It is therefore proposed that a Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP)1 criteria is introduced, alongside the other eligibility criteria, to target Warm Front assistance at homes with a poor energy rating.
The proposals in this document focus on:
- Amending the focus of Warm Front measures to encompass a set of certain income related eligibility criteria that are considered to better target households susceptible to fuel poverty; and
- Introducing a thermal efficiency test, for example, households can access Warm Front assistance if they have a SAP rating of 55 or below and one of the listed income related criteria.
Consultation Response
Department of Energy & Climate Change,
1st Floor Area D
3 Whitehall Place
London, SW1A 2AW
Consultation documents
PDF version Warm Front 2011/12 - £110 Million Available for Home Energy Efficiency Improvements
The Warm Front scheme provides grants for energy efficiency improvements to the home, and energy advice for people most in need. The scheme now has a new set of eligibility criteria and is once again accepting new applications.
Insulation and heating improvements are available through the scheme for all clients, as well as oil central heating for those not on the gas distribution network. Grants up to the value of £3,500 (up to £6,000 where oil, low carbon or renewable technologies are recommended) are available.
The Warm Front Grant can provide the following improvements:
- Loft insulation.
- Draught-proofing.
- Cavity wall insulation.
- Hot water tank insulation.
- Gas, electric, liquid petroleum gas or oil heating.
- Glass-fronted fire - the Warm Front scheme can convert solid-fuel open fires to glass-fronted fires.
Speaking about the launch of the new round of the Warm Front scheme, Energy and Climate Change Secretary Chris Huhne said:
"We have improved the Warm Front scheme so it’s better targeted at those who need it most, helping around 90,000 households over the next two years.
"Next year we will be launching the Green Deal, the government’s national overhaul of home energy efficiency, which will provide extra help to vulnerable households."
The scheme is targeted at people on certain income-related benefits and living in properties that are poorly insulated and/or do not have a working central heating system. Applicants must be private tenants or own their own house in England.
Applications may be submitted at any time.
Click here to access the application guidance details for the scheme (opens in new window).
Source: Department of Energy and Climate Change, 15/04/11
http://www.fundingcentral.org.uk/newsview.aspx?SH=&WCU=DSCODE=OTSSCMLIVE...
Consultation on Amending Reference to the Warm Front Scheme Eligibility Criteria: Government response
Summary:
This is the government's response to the consultation on proposed revisions to the scope of the warm front scheme, to ensure that the help available is better targeted at those in fuel poverty or most vulnerable to it.
http://www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/Consultations/warm-front-eligibility/...