West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker has unveiled the region’s most ambitious plan yet to improve living standards and tackle fuel poverty for thousands of low-income households.
Up to 10,000 of the region’s oldest and coldest homes will be upgraded through a £167 million energy efficiency fund.
The funding will bring homes up to modern energy standards, reducing fuel usage and cutting energy bills. Improvements will include insulation, new doors and windows, solar panels, and greener heating systems.
“I pledged to deliver a mass insulation programme to make thousands of our homes warmer, safer, greener and cheaper to run. Today I am delivering on that pledge as we launch the most ambitious programme the region has ever seen,” said Mayor Parker. “We’re not just improving homes; we’re improving lives, and building a greener, fairer West Midlands for everyone.”
The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) will also invest £36 million in making public buildings such as schools, colleges, and NHS facilities cheaper to heat and power.
Additional funding of £80 million will be unlocked from councils and housing providers.
The scheme supports the region’s 2041 net zero target while creating jobs in the energy efficiency sector. Nearly 1,000 people have already completed retrofit training courses to install low-carbon technology.
Residents struggling with energy costs can access free advice from Act on Energy: 0800 988 2881.