Fuel poverty coalition demands faster action on energy bills

The End Fuel Poverty Coalition has told ministers they are not moving fast enough. The group, which represents charities and campaigners, says the current pace of support leaves millions of households exposed to high energy costs this winter.

As reported by the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, the coalition wants the government to go “further and faster” on the energy bills crisis. The call comes as the price cap remains near record levels, £1,923 a year for a typical dual-fuel household on direct debit, according to Ofgem.

What this means for your household budget

For the average three-bed semi using 12,000 kWh of gas and 2,900 kWh of electricity, that cap translates to about £160 a month. For homes with poor insulation, an EPC rating of D or below, actual usage can push bills 20–30% higher. The coalition’s plea is not abstract. It reflects real strain on families who have cut back on heating, food, or both.

The government has already introduced the Energy Price Guarantee and cost-of-living payments. But the coalition argues these are sticking plasters. The deeper fix, they say, is a properly funded home energy efficiency programme that permanently lowers demand.

Who qualifies, and who doesn’t

Current schemes like the Great British Insulation Scheme and ECO4 target low-income and fuel-poor households. Yet eligibility is patchy. A household with an EPC rating of E or F can get cavity wall or loft insulation fully funded, but only if they receive certain benefits. Those just above the threshold, the so-called “squeezed middle”, get nothing.

The coalition wants means-tested grants expanded to cover more income bands. They also want a new target: every home in the UK to reach EPC band C by 2035, backed by public investment. That would require insulating 19 million homes, according to the Climate Change Committee.

What it costs a typical 3-bed semi

For a homeowner not eligible for free schemes, the costs are substantial. Loft insulation (270 mm top-up) runs £300–£500 installed, saving £180–£220 a year on heating bills. Cavity wall insulation costs £400–£700 and saves £250–£300 annually. Solid wall insulation is the big ticket, £8,000–£22,000 depending on house size and method, but can cut heat loss by 45% and lift an EPC from E to C.

Heat pumps, under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, now offer £7,500 off installation. A typical air-source heat pump costs £9,000–£12,000 after the grant, with running costs comparable to gas if the home is well insulated. Solar panels (4 kW system) run £5,000–£7,000 and can save £500–£700 a year on electricity bills, depending on usage and export tariff.

The catch is timing. These measures work best when done together, insulation first, then heat pump, then solar. Doing them piecemeal risks higher costs and lower savings.

What to do now

If your EPC is D or below, start with a free home energy audit through the Energy Saving Trust or your local council. The Great British Insulation Scheme closed on 31 March 2026. It funded insulation measures only and never covered windows or glazing. For those outside the benefit system, consider a Green Deal loan or a home improvement loan from a high-street bank, interest rates are high now, but the savings on bills often outweigh the interest.

The coalition’s call may push government to announce new measures in the Autumn Statement. If that happens, act fast, first come, first served for grants. In the meantime, the most cost-effective step is insulation. It pays back in two to three years and works for any heating system.