At a glance (checked 4 October 2026)
| Scheme | Status | Who it's for |
|---|---|---|
| Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) | Closed on 31 March 2026 | – |
| Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) | Ends 31 December 2026; no successor supplier obligation | Mainly low-income and vulnerable households (Great Britain) |
| Warm Homes: Local Grant | Open through councils until 31 March 2028, where funding is available | Low-income households in privately owned homes in England with an EPC of D–G |
| Spray foam removal | No government funding | – |
Schemes change. Always check the official pages linked below before relying on this summary.
ECO4 (Energy Company Obligation)
ECO4 requires larger energy suppliers to fund energy efficiency improvements, including loft insulation, mainly for low-income and vulnerable households. It was due to end in March 2026 but the government extended it by nine months: ECO4 ends on 31 December 2026. The government has said there will be no successor supplier obligation, and the extension was to let suppliers finish existing targets and fix non-compliant installations – not to expand the scheme (GOV.UK).
In practice that means ECO4 work still available in late 2026 is limited, and installs must be completed before the scheme closes. If you think you may qualify, contact your energy supplier or your council soon.
Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS)
GBIS (formerly ECO+) funded single insulation measures such as loft or cavity wall insulation for some households, including some not on benefits. It closed on 31 March 2026 and was not extended (Ofgem). Any offer claiming to be "GBIS-funded" today should be treated with suspicion.
Warm Homes: Local Grant (England)
The Warm Homes: Local Grant is run by local councils in England and can pay for energy-saving improvements, including loft insulation, wall and underfloor insulation, heat pumps, smart controls and solar panels (GOV.UK). Councils deliver it from April 2025 until 31 March 2028 (DESNZ guidance).
According to GOV.UK, to be eligible your home must:
- be in England
- be privately owned (by you or your landlord)
- have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rated D, E, F or G
Your household income must usually be £36,000 a year or less, although you may still qualify above that if you live in certain postcode areas or someone in your household gets certain benefits. If you're eligible and your council has funding, it arranges a survey and pays for the agreed work. You can check eligibility and apply on GOV.UK or call the helpline on 0800 098 7950.
The Warm Homes Plan
The government's Warm Homes Plan, published in January 2026, sets out £15 billion of public investment to upgrade homes by 2030, including around £5 billion for low-income households and low- and zero-interest loans for homeowners (GOV.UK). Support for low-income households will initially continue through the Warm Homes: Local Grant before being consolidated into a single scheme. We'll update this guide as new schemes open.
Is there a grant for spray foam removal?
No. The government confirmed in March 2025 that there is no government financial help for spray foam removal (House of Commons Library), and ECO4 does not cover it. If your foam was installed incorrectly you may be able to seek a remedy from the installer or through an insurance-backed guarantee, and TrustMark may be able to help where the work was done under a government scheme.
Avoiding grant and spray foam scams
Trading Standards have warned about cold callers offering insulation "surveys", claiming existing spray foam is dangerous or unsellable, or offering "free" removal schemes – leading to some homeowners paying thousands for unnecessary work (Bromley Trading Standards, February 2026). To protect yourself:
- Hang up on unsolicited calls about insulation or "government schemes"
- Don't agree to work on the doorstep, and don't be rushed
- Check any grant claim against the official GOV.UK and Ofgem pages
- Get written quotes from more than one company
- Remember you normally have a 14-day cooling-off period for contracts agreed in your home
- Report concerns to Citizens Advice (0808 223 1133) or Report Fraud (0300 123 2040)
Is it worth paying for loft insulation privately?
For many homes, yes. The Energy Saving Trust says an uninsulated home can lose around a quarter of its heat through the roof, and that properly installed loft insulation should last around 40 years. It gives typical installation costs in Great Britain of about £750 to insulate a loft from 0mm to 270mm and £600 to top up from 120mm to 270mm. These are national averages, not our prices.
Grant-funded work has to be arranged through the scheme itself – your energy supplier, an approved installer or your council. If you're not eligible, or funding has run out, we can quote for loft insulation removal, replacement or a top up. Get a free quote for an exact price.
Living in Scotland or Wales? Different schemes apply – the Energy Saving Trust points to Home Energy Scotland and Nest in Wales.
Sources
- GOV.UK – Extending the ECO4 end date: government response
- Ofgem – Great British Insulation Scheme
- GOV.UK – Apply for the Warm Homes: Local Grant
- GOV.UK – Warm Homes: Local Grant guidance for local authorities
- GOV.UK – Warm Homes Plan (January 2026)
- House of Commons Library – Spray foam insulation and mortgages (CBP-10658)
- London Borough of Bromley Trading Standards – Stay vigilant against spray foam scams (February 2026)
- Energy Saving Trust – Roof and loft insulation