Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS)
GBIS closed on 31 March 2026 and was not extended. You can no longer apply for it. This page explains what it was and what you can look at instead.
View Current Grant SchemesSCHEME CLOSED – The Great British Insulation Scheme ended on 31 March 2026
The government confirmed in January 2026 that there would be no extension to GBIS, and there is no new supplier-funded scheme to replace it. Any company still offering “GBIS funding” is out of date – ask exactly which scheme would pay for the work, and check with that scheme.
What is still open:
What was the Great British Insulation Scheme?
GBIS was an energy supplier obligation that ran alongside ECO4 in England, Scotland and Wales. Larger energy suppliers had to fund insulation for eligible households – GOV.UK described it as help to get “free or cheaper home insulation” – and it mostly paid for single measures such as loft or cavity wall insulation.
The Warm Homes Plan confirmed it would “end as planned on 31 March 2026”. The government also decided there will be no successor supplier obligation once ECO4 ends on 31 December 2026, so there is no “GBIS 2” or ECO5 to wait for.
UK Energy Partnership is run by Harber Glaves Trading Ltd. We are not a government body and cannot decide who gets funding — check eligibility with the official scheme. Last reviewed 13 September 2026.
If you were hoping to use GBIS, look at these instead
ECO4 (England, Scotland and Wales) – until 31 December 2026
For some households on certain benefits, or on a lower income through a council’s ECO4 Flex route (for example a gross household income under £31,000). Owner-occupied homes must be rated EPC D–G; private rented homes E–G, with the owner’s permission.
ECO4 is not a grant: work may be fully or partly funded, and you may be asked to contribute. Contact any obligated energy supplier (it does not have to be yours) or your council. ECO4 guide
Warm Homes: Local Grant (England) – open
For privately owned homes rated EPC D–G. Household income must usually be £36,000 a year or less, though some benefits and postcode areas also qualify. If you are eligible and your council has funding, it arranges a survey and pays for agreed work, so owner-occupiers pay nothing; landlords may need to contribute. Funding runs through councils until 31 March 2028. Check on GOV.UK
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
- • Scotland: the Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan can fund up to 75% of the cost of insulation, up to £7,500 in grant, for homeowners – you do not need to be on benefits. Warmer Homes Scotland helps some lower-income and vulnerable households.
- • Wales: the Warm Homes Nest scheme offers free improvements to eligible homeowners and private tenants on a means-tested benefit or a low income.
- • Northern Ireland: the Affordable Warmth Scheme helps lower-income owner-occupiers and private tenants (check current limits with NI Energy Advice on 0800 111 4455), and NISEP grants are allocated first come, first served.
If you are paying for insulation yourself
Installed insulation has 0% VAT until 31 March 2027, after which it returns to 5%. These are typical professionally installed costs and yearly bill savings for a gas-heated home:
Loft insulation (0 to 270mm)
Around £650–£1,200 for a typical house, saving roughly £140–£360 a year. Loft costs
Cavity wall insulation
Around £1,100–£3,900 for a house (about £2,200 for a semi-detached), saving roughly £110–£380 a year. Cavity costs
Solid wall insulation
Around £15,000 external or £12,000 internal for a typical three-bedroom semi, saving roughly £140–£500 a year depending on the home.
Suspended timber floor insulation
Around £1,400–£2,500, saving roughly £40–£100 a year. Solid floors can cost considerably more.
Typical costs, last reviewed September 2026. Source: Energy Saving Trust, July 2026 prices (unsubsidised, gas-heated home). Your own quote and savings will depend on your home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still apply for the Great British Insulation Scheme?
No. GBIS closed on 31 March 2026 and the government confirmed it would not be extended. The GOV.UK eligibility service has closed. If a company says it can still get you GBIS funding, ask exactly which scheme would pay for the work and check with that scheme directly.
What replaced GBIS?
Nothing directly. The government has said there will be no successor supplier obligation once ECO4 ends on 31 December 2026. In England, lower-income households can check the council-run Warm Homes: Local Grant. ECO4 is open until 31 December 2026, and Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland run their own schemes.
Is free insulation still available?
Sometimes, but it is not guaranteed. ECO4 is not a grant scheme, so work may be fully or partly funded and you may be asked to contribute; Ofgem advises shopping around if so. Under the Warm Homes: Local Grant, eligible owner-occupiers pay nothing if their council has funding, though landlords may need to contribute.
I rent privately. Can I still get help with insulation?
Possibly. ECO4 can help private tenants in homes rated EPC E, F or G, with the owner's permission. In England, privately rented homes can qualify for the Warm Homes: Local Grant, but the landlord may need to pay for some of the improvements.
I had insulation fitted under GBIS and there are problems. What can I do?
Contact the installer first. The Energy Saving Trust reports that 98% of homes fitted with external wall insulation under ECO4 and GBIS have problems that need fixing, and TrustMark runs free audits for those homes. For cavity wall insulation, check whether you were given a CIGA guarantee.
GBIS Has Closed – Here Is What To Do Instead
You can no longer apply for GBIS. Check ECO4 (open until 31 December 2026) with an energy supplier or your council, the Warm Homes: Local Grant if you live in England, or your nation’s own scheme. If you are paying yourself, sending an enquiry is free and Better Home Hub can introduce you to local installers.