Warm Homes: Local Grant (WH:LG)

The Warm Homes: Local Grant (WHLG) will provide energy performance measures and low carbon heating to low-income households in England to tackle fuel poverty and deliver progress towards Net Zero 2050 and the Carbon Budgets.

The scheme will support low-income households living in privately owned EPC D-G homes both on and off the gas grid in England. This includes low-income households off the gas grid who are currently eligible for the Home Upgrade Grant (HUG), as well as low income on grid homes previously supported through the Local Authority Delivery (LAD) scheme.

The scheme will begin delivery in 2025 following funding allocations and a mobilisation period. The total amount of funding available to deliver the scheme is subject to the spending review and will be confirmed in due course.  

The GMCA will be receiving an allocation of funding as part of the Government’s commitment to the pilot announced in its trailblazer devolution deal. As a result, the GMCA and its constituent local authorities will therefore not be permitted to apply for the national scheme.

What is the devolved net zero funding pilot?

The GMCA will receive an allocation of funding to deliver retrofitting of residential buildings containing households at risk of fuel poverty differently in Greater Manchester. Local authorities in Greater Manchester will work with the GMCA and will not be eligible to apply to the national scheme.

As a Local Authority that has received previous funding for domestic retrofit from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, why are we no longer able to bid directly to scheme?

Devolution is a key Government priority, and the GMCA will receive a proportion of funding from the national retrofit scheme for their areas rather than applying to central government. Government is piloting the approach of local devolution within Greater Manchester to retrofit, which will have greater autonomy to prioritise investment based on its local knowledge and role in co-ordination.

As a Local Authority, how will we be able to access funding for retrofit works to the homes in our area?

As the GMCA will receive an allocation of national scheme funding for retrofitting homes in its area, constituent local authorities will not be permitted to access funding via the national scheme.

Instead, constituent local authorities will need to seek funding via the GMCA. The GMCA will provide information for local authorities in Greater Manchester on accessing funding in due course. In the meantime, please contact LEAD@greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk for enquiries related to devolved funding.

How much money will be made available to the GMCA?

The GMCA has received a commitment of a proportionate share of the WH:LG.