ECO4 and GBIS Funding Update

Several changes have recently been announced relating to grant funded energy efficiency schemes. The UK Government has announced the closure of both the Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS), and the Energy Company Obligation Scheme (ECO4). Although these two schemes are closing down there is still help available for eligible residents via the Warm Homes Local Grant - see our Action on Energy funding page. We also await further details about the recently announced Warm Homes Plan where the government will deliver £15 billion of public investment to upgrade up to 5 million homes to lift up to 1 million families out of fuel poverty by 2030.

GBIS (Great British Insulation Scheme)

Closed on 31^st March 2026. This scheme was designed to reduce energy bills by offering free or cheaper home insulation.

ECO4 (Energy Company Obligation Scheme 4)

This scheme has been extended until 31^st December 2026 however, funding is now extremely limited as most energy companies have reached, or are close to reaching, their funding limits. This scheme was funded by large energy companies and provided home energy efficiency improvements for eligible households.

More information about eligibility for the ECO4 scheme can be found on the UK Government’s Energy Company Obligation webpages.

If you think you may be eligible for the scheme you can contact any of the participating energy companies on the list of ECO suppliers available on the Ofgem website to see if they are still taking new referrals.

Please note that the councils in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough do not have access to information about which energy companies may still have funding available.

ECO4 Flex

Councils in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough were participating in this additional component of the ECO4 scheme which allowed referrals for low-income or vulnerable residents who did not receive traditional means-tested benefits.

Unfortunately, the funding that was designated for this has now been withdrawn by many of the energy companies and we do not anticipate that any new funding will be made available during the remaining time before the ECO4 scheme closes.

Further Information

More information about the ECO4 scheme and guidance on how to complain if you have any issues with either GBIS or ECO4 installations can be found on Ofgem’s webpages for Homeowners and Tenants.

You may also have read recent articles about quality issues relating specifically to external or internal wall insulation installations via the GBIS and ECO4 schemes. Affected residents should have been contacted to arrange a home check and remedial action undertaken if required. Further information about this issue is available on the UK Government’s webpages on what you can do if you have poor quality wall insulation.

Support for residents

If you are concerned about your energy bills, support may still be available. We encourage you to contact Action on Energy Cambridgeshire for advice on grants, eligibility and ways to reduce your energy bills.