Better Warmer Homes outlines how local authorities can drive large‑scale, place‑based retrofit to create healthier homes, reduce emissions, and improve local economies.
Resource
Better Warmer Homes: The report
Better Warmer Homes outlines how local authorities can drive large‑scale, place‑based retrofit to create healthier homes, reduce emissions, and improve local economies. The report stresses the scale of the challenge: 12.7 million UK homes remain below EPC C, resulting in around £400 extra annual energy costs per household and contributing up to £1.4 billion in NHS spending on illnesses linked to cold, damp housing.
The programme demonstrates that local authorities hold significant influence as convenors, regulators, and asset managers. They can shape local retrofit markets by coordinating stakeholders, embedding clear standards and using planning powers to guide retrofit in both everyday and complex building contexts, including heritage and conservation areas. The report highlights how effective modelling and evidence‑gathering can strengthen the business case for retrofit – emphasising that investment delivers broad benefits across economic growth, health outcomes, carbon reduction, and household affordability.
A major theme is the need to expand supply‑chain skills and capacity. Local authorities are encouraged to assess gaps, plan for future demand, and support a skilled workforce capable of delivering retrofit at scale. Consumer‑focused services are also emphasised, with the report noting that accessible, trusted routes into retrofit are essential for increasing uptake.
Why this report is useful for local authorities
The report provides practical insights, guidance, and strategic considerations for councils aiming to accelerate retrofit and create warmer, healthier, and more sustainable homes. In particular, the report:
- strengthens business cases by quantifying wider benefits (health, economic growth, carbon reduction) to unlock funding.
- provides replicable models such as Cardiff’s full‑value modelling and York’s one‑stop‑shop service.
- offers practical planning solutions for heritage and conservation areas, including Local Development Orders and consent frameworks.
- highlights supply‑chain needs, helping councils assess skills gaps and plan long‑term delivery capacity.
- demonstrates effective community‑engagement approaches to build demand and address resident concerns in social housing.
Better Warmer Homes: The webinar
On Wednesday 10 December 2025, Regen held a webinar to share some of the inspiring insights, best practice, and expertise generated by the Net Zero Living programme, with the aim of helping other local authorities understand how they can forge similar paths.
Innovate UK’s Net Zero Living programme supports 52 local authorities, their partners, and communities to overcome non-technological barriers to adopting and scaling up Net Zero solutions.
Regen was joined by local authorities and government representatives to discuss their experiences of delivering innovative projects in their areas, and highlighting some case studies that show the role and additional value that local government can bring in using its assets, power, and voice to unlock the local retrofit markets of the future.
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