LONDON, 22 January 2026 — UK100, the cross-party network of local climate leaders representing over 120 local authorities and over 60% of the UK population, today welcomed the government's Warm Homes Plan as a strong foundation for delivering warmer homes and regional economic growth — but urged ministers to address gaps in public building investment and enforcement funding to realise the Plan's full ambition.

What local leaders have been calling for

The Plan confirms £15 billion in funding for household energy efficiency — the biggest public investment in home upgrades in British history. Crucially, it delivers what councils have been asking for: multi-year funding certainty, area-based delivery through local partnerships, and recognition that local authorities are "the critical actors in planning a transition that delivers for their local areas."

UK100 particularly welcomes the Plan's recognition of Local Area Energy Plans (LAEPs) and Regional Energy Strategic Plans (RESPs) as tools for coordinating home upgrades with network infrastructure — a key ask from local leaders. The commitment that low-income schemes will "shift toward area-based delivery" from 2027/28 and the upcoming Warm Homes Fund call for evidence, 2026 offer real opportunities for councils to shape how investment flows to communities.

The Plan comes close to delivering one of UK100’s key Beyond Targets recommendations — embedding co-benefits through cross-sector partnerships driving progress on warm homes, clean energy, and nature recovery. The acknowledgment of "broader outcomes, including improved health, regeneration" alongside energy planning is encouraging, and our members are ready to deliver on this.

A good investment — even better with these gaps addressed

While this is a strong foundation, UK100 urges the government to address three gaps to strengthen the Plan’s impact.

Schools and public buildings

The Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, which invested £3.5 billion upgrading schools, hospitals and council buildings, ended in June 2025 with no replacement announced. England's schools spend over £500 million annually on energy — money that should be spent on education, not heating draughty classrooms. The government rightly identifies 1.6 million children in cold, damp private homes, but 8.4 million children attend schools that face the same challenges.

Enforcement

Even the best standards are meaningless without enforcement. Research shows only 17 of 268 councils have taken action on current energy rules — not because they lack commitment, but because they lack resources. Without dedicated funding for enforcement teams, the new EPC C by October 2030 standard for private rentals will exist on paper only.

Fabric-first concerns

While the Plan's caution on insulation is understandable given documented problems with previous programmes, local leaders urge ministers not to retreat from fabric-first retrofit entirely. "The cheapest and cleanest energy is the energy we don't use," remains UK100 Chief Executive Christopher Hammond's guiding principle. Properly insulating homes through well-managed local partnerships, not fragmented national schemes, remains the most effective way to permanently reduce bills.

Delivering growth and warm homes

Despite these gaps, the Plan as published will support economic growth delivered in regions across the country, create quality jobs, and help millions of families live in warmer, more affordable homes. New technologies and support for various ownership models could create conditions that spur local economies, particularly if centralised control is relaxed and councils are genuinely empowered to lead.

UK100 supports the Plan’s commitments but will continue advocating for equivalent ambition for the public buildings where children learn and patients recover. We are calling for public building funding and local enforcement capacity to be addressed in the 2027 Spending Review.

Responding to the Plan, Christopher Hammond, Chief Executive of UK100, said:

"Energy efficiency is a crucial part of keeping our bills down and the lights on. New technologies and support for various forms of ownership could create the conditions that spur local economies — if centralised control is relaxed.

This is the kind of meaty multi-year programme councils have been dying to get their teeth into. The Plan's commitment to area-based approaches, building local government capacity through the Warm Homes Agency, and integrating Local Area Energy Plans into delivery is exactly what councils have been calling for.

"The investment case is strong, but it would be even stronger with equivalent commitment to the schools and hospitals where our children learn and our communities are cared for. We urge the Chancellor to address public building funding and enforcement capacity to ensure the Plan delivers."

On the back of the Warm Homes Plan, UK100 is launching a new campaign calling for equivalent ambition for the public buildings where children learn and patients recover.

ENDS

More information: Liam Ward, UK100, liam.ward@uk100.org

Notes to the editor:

About UK100:

UK100 is the UK's only network of ambitious councils led by all political parties working together to tackle climate change.

www.uk100.org

Warm Homes Plan funding:

The government's Warm Homes Plan totals £15 billion following November 2025's Autumn Budget. The funding breakdown includes: £5 billion for low-income schemes, £2.7 billion for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, £2 billion for consumer loans, £1.1 billion for heat networks, £2.7 billion for innovative finance through the Warm Homes Fund, and £1.5 billion for other programmes and Devolved Administrations. From 2027/28, the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund and Warm Homes: Local Grant will integrate into a single low-income capital scheme shifting toward area-based delivery.

Local authority role:

The Plan states local authorities and mayoral strategic authorities are "the critical actors in planning a transition that delivers for their local areas" and commits the Warm Homes Agency to "build capacity in local government, to enable delivery to be successfully planned and led at a local level." It recognises Local Area Energy Plans (LAEPs) and Regional Energy Strategic Plans (RESPs) as key coordination tools.

Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme:

Delivered £3.5 billion through nearly 1,400 grants between 2020-2025 before ending in June 2025 with no replacement announced. Notable projects include Greater Manchester (£80 million, 36 schools, 20+ leisure centres, 2,000 jobs created), Newcastle (£27.25 million, 32 sites including 16 schools), and Oxford (£10.9 million, four leisure centres achieving 56% emissions reduction).

Schools energy and condition:

England's 21,600 state schools spend £500-543 million annually on energy. The National Audit Office found 38% of school buildings (24,000) are beyond their estimated design life. The Green Finance Institute estimates a £16.3 billion investment gap to decarbonise UK schools.

EPC enforcement:

Freedom of Information requests found only 17 of 268 councils have taken any enforcement action on current Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards. UK100's Spending Review submission called for dedicated funding to enable councils to enforce new standards.

Economic case for retrofit:

Research shows every £1 invested in place-based climate initiatives like retrofit delivers over £14 through cheaper bills, better health outcomes, and wider social benefits. The NHS spends £2.5 billion annually treating cold-related illness.

Beyond Targets:

UK100's June 2025 report recommended embedding co-benefits in future devolution deals for combined and strategic authorities, underpinned by cross-sector Partnership Boards to drive progress in areas such as warm homes, green energy, and nature recovery.

Campaigning for public buildings:

UK100's 2026 campaign advocates for restoration of public building energy efficiency funding with non-competitive, formula-based allocation focused on schools and hospitals.