Bedford Borough Council is pleased to announce significant enhancements to the Home Upgrade Grant Phase 2 (HUG2) scheme, making it easier for more residents to access vital energy-saving home improvements and further reducing fuel poverty across the borough.
Key improvements include:
Increased household income eligibility threshold: The maximum combined annual household income to qualify for HUG2 has been raised from £31,000 to £36,000. This change ensures more residents can benefit from the scheme and save money on their energy bills.
All applications previously rejected due to income exceeding the previous limit will be reassessed under the new threshold. Eligible households will be contacted to progress their applications.
New applications that meet the revised income threshold can be submitted from Tuesday 2 April, 2024.
Enhanced support for electrically heated flats: High retention storage heaters are now classified as Grade B measures rather than Grade C. This makes them a more attractive option for flats unable to install heat pumps. This allows more electrically heated flats to benefit from the scheme and potentially achieve significant bill savings.
Councillor Jim Weir, Portfolio Holder for Environment, Highways, and Transport at Bedford Borough Council, welcomed the improvements, saying, "We are committed to supporting our residents during these challenging times.
“These changes will ensure more people in Bedford Borough can benefit from improved home energy efficiency and enjoy warmer homes at lower costs."
Residents can find further information and apply for HUG2 at:
Bedford Borough Council website: https://www.bedford.gov.uk/environmental-issues/sustainability/home-upgrade-grant
HUG application portal: https://hugapply.co.uk/2023/09/06/hello-world/
Agility Eco (for inquiries and assistance): 0800 107 8883
HUG2 is open for applications until March 2025.
The initiative addresses the pressing issue of fuel poverty, which has affected a significant percentage of households in Bedford Borough. People that live in a cold, damp, poorly insulated and poorly heated home are at risk of increasingly high energy bills and risks to health. Over 12% of the borough is at risk of or currently experiencing fuel poverty, according to 2021 statistics.
Under the Greater Southeast Net Zero Hub (GSENZH), Bedford Borough Council is working to accelerate local net zero projects. The council is working with this government-funded organisation collaborating with public sector entities and stakeholders to finance and streamline the delivery of schemes like HUG2.
Agility Eco, a specialist company appointed by Bedford Borough Council, will manage all energy-improvement works on behalf of residents. For inquiries or assistance, please contact Agility Eco at 0800 107 8883. The grant is available to households meeting specific criteria, including not being heated by mains gas, having a combined annual income of less than £31,000, and having a home that an Energy Performance Certificate declares as hard to heat.
Landlords are also encouraged to apply, under conditions such as owning four or fewer properties and contributing at least one third of the costs. The scheme aims to phase out the use of fossil fuel heating, supporting the UK's 2050 Net Zero commitment and promoting household health and well-being through the reduction of cold homes.
HUG2 builds on the success of its predecessor, which allocated £218 million to 42 projects covering over 200 local authority areas. This second phase is a crucial step towards a greener and more sustainable future for Bedford Borough.