GBIS Has Ended — Here's What Replaces It
The Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) ended on 31 March 2026 and has not been extended or replaced. The two main alternatives are ECO4 (free insulation funded by energy suppliers, closing December 2026) and the Warm Homes Local Grant (up to £15,000 for low-income households in England, running until 2028).
The Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) is closing. The scheme formally ends on 31 March 2026, with new applications having wound down in early 2026. If you were planning to apply, you'll need to look at alternative schemes instead.
The good news: two major programmes are still available — the Warm Homes: Local Grant and the extended ECO4 scheme. This guide explains what happened, why it ended, and exactly where to turn next.
Key Facts
- GBIS formally ends: 31 March 2026 — new applications wound down in early 2026
- Not extended: Unlike ECO4, GBIS was not given an extension
- Primary replacement: The Warm Homes: Local Grant (£500 million, England only, 2025–2028)
- ECO4 still open: Extended to 31 December 2026 for eligible low-income households across Great Britain
- Reason for closure: The government stated GBIS delivery "did not meet expectations"
- Free insulation still available: Through both the Warm Homes: Local Grant and ECO4
What Was GBIS?
The Great British Insulation Scheme was a government programme that required energy suppliers to deliver single insulation measures to homes across Great Britain. It ran alongside ECO4 and was designed to provide quick, straightforward insulation upgrades.
GBIS covered measures such as:
- Cavity wall insulation
- Loft insulation
- Solid wall insulation
- Flat roof insulation
- Underfloor insulation
Unlike ECO4, which focused on comprehensive packages for the most fuel-poor homes, GBIS was intended to deliver individual insulation measures quickly to a broader range of households, including those in lower council tax bands (A–D) regardless of income.
Why Did GBIS End?
The government confirmed in its consultation response on the ECO4 extension that GBIS would end as planned. The stated reasons include:
- Delivery did not meet expectations — Uptake and delivery fell short of targets
- Mid-scheme changes were needed — The government introduced changes to reassign some ECO4 delivery to GBIS targets
- Ending gives clarity — Avoids additional complexity for suppliers managing both schemes
- Resources refocused on ECO4 — The government wants suppliers to focus on completing their ECO4 obligations
A majority of consultation respondents (117 out of 209) supported keeping the GBIS end date unchanged.
Source: Extending the ECO4 end date: government response (gov.uk)
What Replaces GBIS?
Two main programmes cover the gap left by GBIS. Both fall under the government's broader Warm Homes Plan, which has just under £15 billion in capital investment:
1. Warm Homes: Local Grant
The Warm Homes: Local Grant is the government's flagship replacement:
- Funding: £500 million over three years (2025–2028)
- Available in: England only
- Delivered by: Local councils
- Eligibility: Household income of £36,000 or less, OR eligible postcode area, OR certain benefits
- Measures: Insulation, air source heat pumps, solar panels, smart controls
- Cost to homeowner: Free for eligible owner-occupiers
Check your eligibility for the Warm Homes: Local Grant
2. ECO4 (Extended to December 2026)
ECO4 has been extended by nine months and now runs until 31 December 2026.
- Available in: Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales)
- Delivered by: Energy suppliers through approved installers
- Eligibility: Low-income households, typically those on qualifying benefits
- Measures: Insulation, heating system upgrades, and other energy efficiency improvements
- Cost to homeowner: Free
3. Boiler Upgrade Scheme
If your main interest is replacing a fossil fuel boiler with a heat pump, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) may be suitable:
- Grants: Up to £7,500 towards an air source or ground source heat pump
- Available in: England and Wales
- No income test — Open to all eligible property owners
GBIS vs. Its Replacements — What's Different?
| Feature | GBIS (ended) | Warm Homes: Local Grant | ECO4 (to Dec 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Focus | Single insulation measures | Comprehensive upgrades | Comprehensive upgrades |
| Income tested | Partially (council tax–based) | Yes (£36,000 threshold) | Yes (benefits-based) |
| Available in | Great Britain | England only | Great Britain |
| Insulation | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Heat pumps | No | Yes | Limited |
| Solar panels | No | Yes | No |
| Funded by | Energy suppliers | Government grants | Energy suppliers |
| Status | Ends 31 March 2026 | Open — runs to 2028 | Open — ends 31 Dec 2026 |
What If You Previously Applied for GBIS?
If your application was in progress
Contact the energy supplier or installer you were dealing with. If work has not yet been completed, it may still be finished before the 31 March 2026 deadline.
If your application was rejected
You may still qualify for the Warm Homes: Local Grant or ECO4. The eligibility criteria are different, so it's worth checking:
- Use our eligibility checker — It covers all current schemes
- Apply for the Warm Homes: Local Grant directly on gov.uk
What About Scotland and Wales?
The Warm Homes: Local Grant is England only. If you live in Scotland or Wales:
- ECO4 remains available until 31 December 2026 — contact your energy supplier or see our city guides for local council support
- Scotland: Home Energy Scotland provides grants and interest-free loans
- Wales: The Nest Warm Homes Programme provides free boiler, insulation, heat pumps, and solar panels for eligible Welsh households
Timeline: The End of GBIS
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 2023 | GBIS launched by previous government |
| August 2025 | DESNZ consults on ECO4 extension (GBIS end date unchanged) |
| Early 2026 | New GBIS applications wind down |
| 31 March 2026 | GBIS formally ends |
| 31 December 2026 | ECO4 ends |
| 2025–2028 | Warm Homes: Local Grant delivery period |
Frequently Asked Questions
Has the Great British Insulation Scheme ended?
GBIS formally ends on 31 March 2026. New applications wound down in early 2026. If you have an application in progress, contact your energy supplier about completion before the deadline.
What replaced GBIS?
The main replacements are the Warm Homes: Local Grant (for low-income households in England, funded with £500 million) and the extended ECO4 scheme (available across Great Britain until 31 December 2026). The Boiler Upgrade Scheme also provides grants for heat pump installations.
Can I still get free insulation?
Yes. Both the Warm Homes: Local Grant and ECO4 provide free insulation to eligible households. Check your eligibility to see which you qualify for.
Why wasn't GBIS extended alongside ECO4?
The government stated that GBIS delivery did not meet expectations and that ending it as planned on 31 March 2026 gives clarity to suppliers. A majority of consultation respondents (117 out of 209) supported keeping the original end date.
I'm not on benefits — can I still get help?
Yes, potentially. The Warm Homes: Local Grant uses a £36,000 household income threshold, not just benefits. You may also qualify if you live in an eligible postcode area. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme has no income test at all and offers grants of up to £7,500 towards heat pumps.
Does the Warm Homes: Local Grant cover Scotland and Wales?
No, the Warm Homes: Local Grant covers England only. Residents of Scotland should contact Home Energy Scotland, and those in Wales can check the Nest Warm Homes Programme. ECO4 covers all of Great Britain until 31 December 2026.
What to Do Next
- Check your eligibility for all available schemes
- Apply for the Warm Homes: Local Grant if you're in England
- Compare all available grants side by side
- Contact your energy supplier about ECO4 if you're in Scotland or Wales
- Learn about the Boiler Upgrade Scheme if you're interested in a heat pump
The Bottom Line
Although GBIS has ended, free home insulation and energy upgrades are still available through other schemes. The Warm Homes: Local Grant is the primary replacement for households in England with income under £36,000, while ECO4 remains open across Great Britain until December 2026. Councils like Hull and Nottingham have dedicated energy teams that can help you apply. If you were relying on GBIS, check your eligibility for these alternatives now — funding is limited and demand is high.
Insulation Grants in Your Area
GBIS may be over, but ECO4 and WHLG are still available. Check local grants:
Related Articles
- Warm Homes Local Grant: Eligibility & How to Apply (2026)
- ECO4 Extended to December 2026: What It Means for You
- Nest Wales: Free Boiler, Insulation & Solar Guide
- Warm Homes Plan 2026: Complete Guide to the UK Programme
- Energy Grants for Pensioners 2026
- Solar Panel Grants UK 2026: Every Scheme Explained
Important: WarmHomeUK is an independent service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the UK Government, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, or Ofgem. Eligibility results are indicative and subject to official assessment. This content does not constitute financial or legal advice.
Written by Forhad Sarker
Forhad has worked inside the UK solar installation industry and now runs WarmHomeUK to make government grant information accessible. He tracks scheme changes across 300+ councils, reads the policy documents, and cross-references every guide against official gov.uk sources.