The Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) GOV.UK referral service closed on 31 March 2026. GBIS was a government-mandated insulation programme funded by energy suppliers, with a total budget of £1 billion (DESNZ). Unlike ECO4, GBIS did not require applicants to receive means-tested benefits — households in council tax bands A–D (England) or A–E (Scotland/Wales) qualified regardless of income. According to DESNZ, 19 million UK homes are rated below EPC Band C (BRE data), making the majority of the UK housing stock potentially eligible. New applicants should now check the Warm Homes: Local Grant (England, to March 2028), Warmer Homes Scotland, Nest in Wales, and ECO4 or LA Flex until 31 December 2026.
GBIS has closed: what you can get instead
The Great British Insulation Scheme closed on 31 March 2026 and was not extended. If you wanted free or cheap insulation, these are the routes open today.
- No benefits? Use the income or postcode route (England) — no scheme uses council tax bands any more. The closest replacement is the Warm Homes: Local Grant: household income of £36,000 or less, or a home in one of the most deprived postcodes, in a home rated EPC D–G. Check the postcode route.
- In Scotland or Wales? — the Warm Homes: Local Grant is England only. In Scotland, Warmer Homes Scotland funds insulation and heating (Home Energy Scotland, 0808 808 2282); in Wales, Nest does the same for low-income households in homes rated EPC E or below (0808 808 2244).
- ECO4, while it lasts — ECO4 can still fund work where a local installer has capacity, but only until 31 December 2026, and the work has to be finished, not just booked. There are no new targets and no ECO5. What replaces ECO4.
- Paying yourself? — Insulation, heat pumps and solar panels installed in your home carry 0% VAT until 31 March 2027 (5% after that). Installers quote the cost you pay.
- Boiler Upgrade Scheme (England & Wales) — £7,500 off an air source or ground source heat pump for most homeowners replacing fossil-fuel heating — no income or benefits test, and since 28 April 2026 no valid EPC needed. Homes heated by oil or LPG with no mains gas connection get £9,000 off an air source or ground source heat pump until 31 March 2027. The installer claims it and takes it off the quote; you pay the rest. Boiler Upgrade Scheme guide.
Sources, checked 10 October 2026: GOV.UK Warm Homes: Local Grant, GOV.UK Boiler Upgrade Scheme, SI 2026/390, Ofgem ECO, HMRC VAT Notice 708/6, GOV.UK Warm Home Discount, Home Energy Scotland, gov.wales Nest.
What Was GBIS and Why Did It End?
The Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS), formerly known as ECO+, launched in March 2023 to improve home energy efficiency across the UK. It provided free cavity wall insulation and loft insulation to eligible households — funded by energy suppliers as part of their legal obligations.
Before closure, GBIS did not require benefits for the general group. Now, households should check ECO4, LA Flex, Warm Homes and supplier-led routes because GOV.UK referrals are closed.
The GOV.UK referral service closed on 31 March 2026. Some energy suppliers may still handle existing or remaining enquiries where applicable, but new applicants should check ECO4, LA Flex and Warm Homes routes.
Update: The GOV.UK GBIS referral service closed on 31 March 2026. Check current insulation support through ECO4, LA Flex, Warm Homes and supplier-led routes.
Who Qualified for GBIS?
GBIS had two eligibility groups:
General Group (No Benefits Required)
- Before closure, the property had to be in council tax bands A-D (England) or A-E (Scotland/Wales)
- Property must have an EPC rating — most homes qualify
- No income test, no benefits requirement
- Available to homeowners and private tenants (with landlord consent)
Low-Income Group
- Receive qualifying benefits (Universal Credit, Pension Credit, etc.)
- Any council tax band
- Same measures available as the general group
What Insulation Can You Get?
| Measure | Typical Savings | Installation Time |
|---|---|---|
| Cavity wall insulation | £200–£400/year | 1–2 days |
| Loft insulation | £180–£350/year | 2–4 hours |
| Solid wall insulation | £430–£640/year | 1–2 weeks |
| Room-in-roof insulation | £200–£400/year | 1–2 days |
| Flat roof insulation | £150–£300/year | 1–2 days |
GBIS primarily covered cavity wall and loft insulation, as these offer the best energy efficiency improvements per pound spent. solid wall insulation grant may be available for suitable properties.
GBIS vs ECO4: What's the Difference?
| Feature | GBIS | ECO4 |
|---|---|---|
| Benefits required? | No (general group) | Yes |
| Council tax bands | A-D (England) | Any |
| Measures | Insulation only | Insulation, boilers, solar, heat pumps |
| Status | GOV.UK referral service closed 31 March 2026 | Runs to December 2026 |
| EPC required? | Yes | Yes (D-G) |
Key difference: GBIS ended 7 months before ECO4. Before closure, GBIS was often the only route to free insulation for households not on benefits — now check ECO4, LA Flex and Warm Homes routes instead.
What Happens Now?
After the GOV.UK GBIS referral service closed on 31 March 2026:
- Check current routes — ECO4, LA Flex, Warm Homes and local authority programmes may still help with insulation
- ECO4 continues until December 2026, but only for benefits recipients
- If you don't receive benefits, there may be no free insulation available after March
- Future schemes (if any) could have stricter criteria or lower funding
Bottom line: The GOV.UK GBIS referral window has closed. Check ECO4, LA Flex, Warm Homes and supplier-led routes for current insulation support.
How to Apply Before the Deadline
- Check your eligibility — use our free eligibility checker (takes 60 seconds)
- Get a free home survey — a qualified assessor visits your property
- Installation arranged — an MCS-certified installer completes the work
- No cost to you — everything is funded by your energy supplier
Current schemes and supplier-led routes have different assessment timelines. Use the checker first, then confirm dates and eligibility with the supplier, installer or local authority.