11 June 2025
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In response to the Chancellor’s decision to commit £13.2bn of investment to the warm homes plan, and the closure of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme consultation, Yselkla Farmer, CEO of BEAMA, comments: “The government has committed to deliver on its manifesto commitment to upgrade millions of homes, saving people an average of £600 in bills. We’re entering a pivotal phase of the energy transition and today’s investment pledge shows this Government remains committed to help decarbonise our building stock, reduce energy bills, and deliver a consumer-focused clean power system where homes are warmer, healthier and safer.
"Our research shows we could unlock up to 10GW of thermal storage flexibility by 2030, which both NESO and the CCC have stressed is crucial for the UK to meet its clean power targets and seize the economic opportunity that comes with it. This means there is huge potential for setting up the electrification of heat and hot water for success, but a lot still depends on how these target funds and incentives are deployed.
"The danger is that product myopia will lead to market distortion and compromise what should be the priority, engaging the end user.
"We’ve already seen positive progress in the heat pump rollout, the ideal choice for many, as a result of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, and it’s great to see this scheme will continue to be supported.
"But with an estimated 20% of homes unsuitable for a heat pump, there is no question that the current product scope needs to be expanded to ensure other heat electrification technologies, such as heat batteries and heat retention storage heaters, are not unfairly disadvantaged. The goal should be to normalise heat electrification for customers, a point we made in our response to the BUS consultation which closed today.
"Households need to be provided with flexibility and a range of different options to support them on their electrification journeys. By doubling down on choice, we can move away from the unhelpful binary technology list and ensure customers are at the heart of the transition to clean heat."
www.beama.org.uk
Tim Balcon, CEO, Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), commenting on the announcements made in the Spending Review: “We support the Government’s commitment to getting Britain building again. Over £110bn announced for infrastructure projects like Sizewell C, a fresh £39bn affordable homes funding settlement, and £13bn for upgrading millions of homes with improved insultation all translates to a buoyant construction industry. In total, there’s positive news to the tune of about £165bn for the industry.
“Of course, we need the skills on the ground to deliver these ambitions. To improve understanding of retrofit work, we’re supporting the development of a Repair, Maintenance and Improvement (RMI) Sector Skills Plan, which aims to identify the specific skills needs and requirements across various occupations within the RMI sector. We’re investing £3.8m in the plan to develop tailored strategies, projects and interventions that address the unique needs of the sector.
“Similarly, at the beginning of this year, we launched the Sizewell C Skills Charter in partnership with Sizewell C, ECITB, Suffolk County Council, and East Suffolk Council. This was a commitment from all parties to working with training providers to support local recruitment and skills development that will have a lasting positive impact on employment and productivity in the area.
“Earlier this year, the Government announced a £600m construction skills package, £32m of which is investment from CITB to deliver increased industry placements. Back in November, we announced a £40m commitment to support the creation of Homebuilding Skills Hubs. I genuinely believe this is a once-in-a-generation chance to us to recruit and train our workforce – equipping more people with the skills they urgently need now and in the future.”
www.citb.co.uk
