Around 350 households across Leicestershire are set to benefit after Leicestershire County Council, in partnership with district authorities, was awarded £6.8 million by the government over the next two years to support the installation of energy efficiency improvements, which will reduce energy costs as well as making households warmer and greener.

The Home Upgrade Grant funding is available to homes without mains gas central heating living in priority neighbourhood postcodes, and more widely where the annual household income is below £31,000, or where a member of the household receives certain benefits.

The new scheme aims to improve the energy efficiency of owner-occupier and private rental households most in need of support, reduce energy bills and tackle climate change. It follows on from previous successful funding bids delivered through the Warm Homes service and Green Living Leicestershire partnership, including the Green Homes Grant, Warm Homes Fund and Sustainable Warmth Competition.

The Home Upgrade Grant is delivered through Green Living Leicestershire, a partnership between Leicestershire authorities who work collectively to deliver projects supporting sustainability and net zero across the county.

The partnership is delivering funding on behalf of Blaby District Council, Charnwood Borough Council, Harborough District Council, Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council, Melton Borough Council and North West Leicestershire District Council.

A similar scheme using Sustainable Warmth Competition funding last year saw more than £1.75m spent on installing energy-efficient measures in almost 170 homes across the county to date, with additional works due to be completed by the end of September.

Under the latest Home Upgrade Grant funding, eligible county residents will benefit from an expert assessment that recommends the improvements best suited to their property, which may include insulation, low carbon and renewable technologies.

Funding is targeted at homes where the main source of heating is something other than mains gas, such as electric, heating oil, LPG, or solid fuel. Households that only use gas for cooking or secondary room heating can still apply.

Low-income households and those living in identified priority neighbourhoods with energy inefficient homes will be prioritised. Funding is available to homeowners and private tenants of landlords with small property portfolios.

The £6.8m Home Upgrade Grant funding has been awarded by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, and administered through the Midlands Net Zero Hub.