News
Our Response to the 2026 Autumn Budget
Sustainable Energy Association The Warm Homes Loan Scheme is a positive step forward that will help to plug the gap for consumers that may still struggle to raise the funds for clean energy measures, as is the extension of the zero rate of VAT for electricity....
Decarbonising Homes in Wales: Lessons from a Changing Policy Landscape
Wales faces a significant retrofit challenge, with Welsh Government data showing that only 45.9% of homes assessed between 2015 and 2024 achieved an EPC rating of A-C[1]. At the same time, it has developed a distinctive policy environment that has encouraged...
Introducing our new President: The Right Honourable, the Baroness Hayman GBE
We would like to give a warm welcome to our new President, The Rt Hon, the Baroness Hayman GBE. Equally, we would like to thank Lord Ravensdale for his tireless support over the last two years and championing our cause across Parliament. At the SEA’s Annual General...
The Value of In-Use Building Performance Metrics on the Route to Net Zero
This article was written in collaboration with our members, Energy Saving Trust and Build Test Solutions. Earlier this year, we published a report making the case for measured performance in government policy. Too many UK households live in homes that are expensive to...
Andy Burnham’s Government, and What It Means for Sustainable Energy
Andy Burnham has sprung into No. 10 after nine years in office as the Mayor of Greater Manchester. The new Prime Minister has now been in office for just over a month, and it’s been out with the old and in with the new as he oversaw a major switch up of cabinet...
The value of community energy
Earlier this year, the Government published their Local Power Plan, with the self-proclaimed aim to offer communities a stake in the places they live, similar to models seen in community owned pubs, leisure centres, libraries, and more. Locally owned community energy...
Our Call to Government: Extend the 0% VAT on Energy Saving Measures
Last week, we welcomed the new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham. We were also encouraged to see immediate action to reduce energy bills for households by removing the 5% VAT from electricity bills. Now, we are calling on the Government to extend its current VAT exemption...
The Climate Change Committee’s 2026 Annual Progress Report: Our Thoughts
The Climate Change Committee’s latest progress report provides much to be commended - 2025 saw overall emissions fall by 1.8% and the UK has seen record-breaking renewable energy capacity. However, domestic electrification has all but stalled, and heat pump...
Is your home as efficient as you think? Bringing measured performance into UK policy
This article, originally written for the Innovation News Network, provides an overview of our recent recommendations for implementing measured performance into UK policy, making sure the energy rating of a home or building reflects how it performs in real-world conditions.
Long-term thinking and energy flexibility dominate this year’s Annual Parliamentary Reception
Our 2026 Parliamentary Reception took place at an exciting time for the industry as we digest the recent publication of the Warm Homes Plan and Future Homes and Buildings Standard. We were honoured to be joined by Minister for Energy Consumers, Martin McCluskey at...
The benefits and drawbacks for sustainable energy in the Warm Homes Plan
The Warm Homes Plan (WHP) was designed to support the upgrading of 5 million homes by 2030 with both clean heating and energy efficiency measures. As part of this, the plan included £5 billion of financial investment for home upgrades, benefiting low-income consumers....
Energy Efficiency Funding Cut by over 25%, leaving the most vulnerable consumers out in the cold
The Sustainable Energy Association today responded to the Chancellor's budget with heavy criticism of the decision to end the Energy Company Obligation with effect from March 2026. Ending the ECO scheme so abruptly without fully funding its activity by other means is...