The Great British Insulation Scheme ended in March 2026, here is what replaced it
The Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) officially closed to new applications on 31 March 2026, as confirmed by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) in its scheme closure notice (DESNZ, 2026). GBIS was a one-for-one replacement for the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme, running from April 2023 to March 2026, targeting lower-income households with single insulation measures. No new GBIS applications can be submitted; however, installations already in progress or approved before the deadline must be completed by 31 December 2026.
No, the Great British Insulation Scheme ended on 31 March 2026. The replacement is ECO4, which offers more comprehensive insulation but with stricter eligibility based on benefits or local authority referral. Check if you qualify now.
- GBIS closed to new applications on 31 March 2026.
- Existing approved installations must finish by 31 December 2026.
- Replacement support is through ECO4, with stricter eligibility rules.
- ECO4 offers multiple insulation measures per home, not just one.
- Check if you qualify via benefits or local authority referral for ECO4.
- The Great British Insulation Scheme ended in March 2026, here is what replaced it
- The Great British Insulation Scheme closed on 31 March 2026. It funded insulation measures only and never covered windows or glazing.
- Who is eligible for the replacement insulation support in 2026
- Quick numbers, typical costs, savings, and payback for insulation
- The Great British Insulation Scheme closed on 31 March 2026. It funded insulation measures only and never covered windows or glazing.
- How to verify an installer and avoid scams
- What to do next if you missed the Great British Insulation Scheme
The Great British Insulation Scheme closed on 31 March 2026. It funded insulation measures only and never covered windows or glazing. The replacement programme is the Energy Company Obligation (ECO4), which offers more comprehensive support but with stricter eligibility rules based on benefits or local authority referral.
The Great British Insulation Scheme closed on 31 March 2026. It funded insulation measures only and never covered windows or glazing.
The Great British Insulation Scheme closed on 31 March 2026. It funded insulation measures only and never covered windows or glazing. The scheme targeted households in Council Tax bands A–D in England and A–E in Scotland and Wales, with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of D, E, F, or G (Ofgem, 2025). The average grant value per installation was approximately £1,200, according to DESNZ annual statistics (DESNZ, January 2026).
The scheme was designed as a simpler, single-measure alternative to the earlier ECO programmes, which could fund multiple measures per home. Homeowners did not need to be on benefits to qualify; the main criteria were Council Tax band and EPC rating. This made GBIS accessible to a broader group of lower-income households who were not receiving welfare support.
Who is eligible for the replacement insulation support in 2026
The Great British Insulation Scheme closed on 31 March 2026. It funded insulation measures only and never covered windows or glazing. ECO4 targets low-income and fuel-poor households receiving qualifying benefits (e.g., Pension Credit, Universal Credit, Child Tax Credit), or those referred by a local authority or health professional. The Great British Insulation Scheme closed on 31 March 2026. It funded insulation measures only and never covered windows or glazing.
For households not receiving qualifying benefits, there is a flexible eligibility route called ECO Flex, which local authorities can use to refer low-income households even if they do not claim benefits. This is worth checking with your local council, as it broadens access significantly. guide to ECO Flex eligibility and local authority referral
Quick numbers, typical costs, savings, and payback for insulation
| Measure | Typical cost (installed) | Annual energy saving | Simple payback (years) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loft insulation (270mm top-up) | £500–£700 | £200–£300 | 2–3 |
| Cavity wall insulation | £600–£1,200 | £250–£400 | 2–4 |
| Solid wall insulation (external) | £8,000–£14,000 | £400–£700 | 15–20 |
| Draught-proofing (whole house) | £200–£500 | £50–£100 | 3–5 |
Source: Energy Saving Trust, “Insulation cost and savings guide,” 2026 (Energy Saving Trust, 2026); DESNZ, “Energy consumption in the UK,” 2026 (DESNZ, 2026). Payback periods assume current energy prices and typical household energy use.
The Great British Insulation Scheme closed on 31 March 2026. It funded insulation measures only and never covered windows or glazing.
No, the Great British Insulation Scheme is not available for new applications as of April 2026, having closed on 31 March 2026 (DESNZ, March 2026). Homeowners who missed the deadline can apply for ECO4, which provides more comprehensive insulation and heating support, but with stricter eligibility based on benefits or local authority referral. For those not eligible for ECO4, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (for heat pumps) and local authority energy grants may cover insulation as part of wider home upgrades (GOV.UK, 2026).
The Great British Insulation Scheme closed on 31 March 2026. It funded insulation measures only and never covered windows or glazing. If you do not qualify for any government scheme, paying for insulation yourself is still worthwhile: the payback on loft insulation and cavity wall insulation is typically under four years.
How to verify an installer and avoid scams
All insulation work funded by ECO4 or local grants must be carried out by an MCS-certified installer for cavity wall and loft insulation, or a TrustMark-registered tradesperson for other measures (Ofgem, 2026). For gas-related work (e.g., boiler replacement linked to insulation), the installer must be Gas Safe registered; for electrical work, use NICEIC or NAPIT-registered electricians.
Check the MCS register (MCS, 2026) or TrustMark (TrustMark, 2026) before hiring. Never pay upfront for a full grant-funded installation, as funding is paid directly to the installer. Be wary of cold callers offering “free insulation”, legitimate schemes require you to apply through your energy supplier or local authority, not a doorstep salesperson.
What to do next if you missed the Great British Insulation Scheme
Contact your energy supplier (British Gas, EDF, E.ON, etc.) to check if you qualify for ECO4 or a supplier-specific insulation offer, many suppliers run their own schemes beyond the government mandate (Energy Saving Trust, 2026). Check with your local council for “home upgrade grants” or “energy company obligation flexible eligibility” (ECO Flex), which can extend eligibility to households not on benefits but with low income.
For full cost, pay for insulation yourself: compare quotes from at least three MCS-certified installers, and use the Energy Saving Trust’s home energy check tool to prioritise measures with the best payback (Energy Saving Trust, 2026). The Local Government Association also has a directory of local energy efficiency grants (Local Government Association, 2026). step-by-step guide to applying for ECO4 insulation grants
Frequently Asked Questions
Installations already approved must be completed by 31 December 2026.
The Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) replaced GBIS. ECO4 offers more comprehensive insulation support but has stricter eligibility rules based on benefits or local authority referral, per Ofgem.
You did not need to be on benefits, says Ofgem.
The average grant value per installation under GBIS was approximately £1,200, according to DESNZ annual statistics published in January 2026.
Yes, through the ECO4 scheme if you meet eligibility criteria based on receiving certain benefits or a local authority referral. Contact your energy supplier or local council to check, advises the Energy Saving Trust.
