Written by Luke Hurd, Chief Operating Officer
The UK Government has recently announced the long anticipated Warm Homes Plan, an initiative designed to help residents cut their energy bills and make their homes more energy efficient. With £15 billion of public investment, this is the largest home upgrade programme in British history.
The plan aims to support upgrades in up to 5 million homes across the country, helping households save money on energy while making their homes warmer and more comfortable.
Key elements of the plan include:
- A universal offer for all homeowners, with access to government backed low and zero interest loans to install technologies such as solar panels, home batteries and heat pumps.
- Extra support for low income households to help them access home upgrades that might otherwise be out of reach, including fully funded installations where needed.
- New protections and incentives for renters, encouraging landlords to invest in energy saving upgrades so tenants can benefit from warmer homes and lower bills.
- New rules requiring solar panels to be included on newly built homes, helping reduce energy costs from the moment a home is occupied.
The role of Procurement
At the heart of social housing is a commitment to tenant wellbeing. Homes that are easier and more affordable to heat are more comfortable to live in and better for residents’ health. Effective heating helps prevent issues such as damp and mould, while reducing the stress and anxiety associated with living in a cold home.
Delivering a programme of this scale needs to be supported by strategic asset management and procurement. The choices of materials, technologies and suppliers will impact on the success of the upgrades.
Effective procurement balances cost with long term value, helping to make homes more energy efficient, sustainable, and future proof. A key strategy is separating materials from labour within procurement frameworks. By sourcing materials independently from installation services, providers achieve greater cost control, enhanced transparency, and reduced risk from market volatility.
This approach supports consistent quality, enables programmes to scale more effectively and allows contractors to focus on safe, high quality delivery.
By treating procurement strategically, social housing providers can turn the government’s plans into reality, delivering affordable, energy efficient homes that benefit tenants and support net zero goals. Find out more about the Warm Homes Plan here https://www.gov.uk/government/news/families-to-save-in-biggest-home-upgrade-plan-in-british-history
How CHIC can help
CHIC supports this strategic use of procurement through its regional structure, with a dedicated Head of Member Services for each region. This ensures housing providers receive tailored support to identify the most appropriate frameworks, delivery models and suppliers for their specific needs, helping them make best use of procurement routes and maximise value from their investment.
