Nottingham City Council has been awarded £24.5 million of government funding to improve the energy efficiency of council homes and continue the delivery of a national programme to train workers in low-carbon heating skills.
The Council has been provisionally allocated £4.5 million through the Warm Homes: Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF) Wave 3 programme, covering the period from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2029. The funding forms part of a wider £21.9 million allocation awarded to the Midlands Net Zero Hub and comes on top of a previous award to Nottingham of £24.5 million from this funding stream.
The investment will support Nottingham City Council’s ambition to ensure all council homes achieve an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of C by 2030, in line with the proposed minimum energy efficiency standard. Planned improvements will help reduce energy bills, cut carbon emissions, tackle fuel poverty and create warmer, more energy-efficient homes.
In addition, the Council has secured £19.9 million from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) to continue delivering the Heat Training Grant programme. Since 2023, the Council, via the Midlands Net Zero Hub, has acted as the accountable body for the national scheme, which supports training providers and employers across England to equip installers with the skills needed to fit low-carbon heating systems, including heat pumps. The continued investment will enable the programme to build on its success, helping to address skills shortages in the green economy while supporting the UK’s journey towards net zero.
Cllr Jay Hayes, Executive Member for Housing and Planning at Nottingham City Council, said: “This significant government investment is great news for Nottingham and reflects the important role the council is playing in tackling climate change while improving people’s lives.
“The Warm Homes funding will help us continue upgrading our council homes so they’re warmer, more energy efficient and cheaper to heat, supporting tenants with the cost of living while reducing carbon emissions.
“At the same time, continuing the Heat Training Grant programme allows us to build the skilled workforce needed to support the transition to low-carbon heating across the country.
“Together, these investments support our Council Plan priorities by improving housing, creating opportunities for people to access high-quality green jobs and helping us build a cleaner, more sustainable Nottingham.”