Local Authority Grants for Energy Upgrades in Greater Manchester

Greater Manchester’s ten local authorities collectively manage some of the most generous local energy upgrade funding in the North West, with grants and schemes worth up to £10,000 per household available through a mix of national programmes, combined authority funding and borough-specific initiatives. Whether you need insulation, a new boiler, solar panels or help with energy bills, your local council is often the best starting point – but the available support varies significantly between boroughs.

The Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) coordinates energy strategy across all ten boroughs, and several schemes operate at the combined authority level. But individual councils like Manchester, Salford, Bolton, Wigan, Stockport, Tameside, Oldham, Rochdale, Bury and Trafford each run their own programmes too. Here is a comprehensive guide to what is available across the region.

GMCA Retrofitting Programme

The Greater Manchester Combined Authority runs a region-wide home retrofitting programme funded by a combination of government grants and local investment. The programme targets homes with EPC ratings of D or below and offers:

• Cavity wall insulation
• Loft insulation
• Solid wall insulation (internal and external)
• Heating system upgrades
• Solar panel installations (in some cases)
• Window and door upgrades

Eligibility is typically based on household income, benefits received and property EPC rating. The GMCA programme is delivered through qualified contractors and can cover the full cost of improvements for eligible households, or provide a significant contribution towards costs for those who do not qualify for full funding.

To access this programme, contact your local council’s energy or housing team, or call the Greater Manchester Green Homes helpline. They will assess your eligibility and connect you with the right scheme.

Borough-by-Borough Guide

Here is a summary of the key energy-related support available in each Greater Manchester borough as of early 2024. Specific programmes change over time, so always check directly with your council for the most current information.

Manchester City Council: Runs one of the most comprehensive programmes in the region. Their Warm Homes Manchester service provides free energy guidance, referrals to insulation and heating schemes, and emergency support for residents in energy crisis. They have also piloted whole-house retrofit schemes in areas like Miles Platting and Ancoats. Contact: Warm Homes Manchester helpline.

Salford City Council: Active government energy efficiency scheme flexibility provisions referrals for residents who do not qualify for benefits-based government energy efficiency scheme funding. Their housing team can also signpost to local grants for private landlords looking to improve rented properties. The council has been investing in social housing retrofits across Pendleton and Broughton.

Bolton Council: Runs the Bolton Warm Homes programme, offering free home energy assessments and referrals to funded insulation schemes. They have been particularly active in delivering solid wall insulation to pre-1920 terraces in the town centre and surrounding areas like Farnworth and Great Lever.

Wigan Council: Their Deal for Affordable Warmth programme provides support for fuel-poor households, including emergency heating repairs, energy debt support and insulation referrals. Wigan has also trialled innovative approaches to terraced house insulation in Leigh and Hindley.

Stockport Council: Offers energy guidance through their Stockport Homes service and has been involved in several previous government grant scheme Local Authority Delivery (LAD) rounds. The council provides government energy efficiency scheme flexibility provisions referrals and has been trialling heat pump installations in social housing in Reddish and Brinnington.

Tameside Council: Their energy team focuses on supporting vulnerable residents with energy bill advice and referrals to government energy efficiency schemes funding. Tameside has seen significant government-funded insulation work in Ashton-under-Lyne, Stalybridge and Denton, particularly external wall insulation on terraces.

Oldham Council: Runs the Warm Homes Oldham scheme, which provides a single point of contact for energy support including insulation grants, fuel poverty advice and benefits checks. The council has been particularly effective at identifying eligible households through proactive outreach in Chadderton, Failsworth and Shaw.

Rochdale Council: Active in government energy efficiency scheme flexibility provisions referrals and has delivered significant insulation improvements across the borough, particularly in Heywood and Middleton. Their housing standards team also enforces energy efficiency standards on private landlords.

Bury Council: Provides energy guidance and government energy efficiency scheme referrals through their housing team. Bury has participated in multiple LAD funding rounds, delivering insulation to homes in Radcliffe, Whitefield and Ramsbottom. They also offer grants for first-time central heating installation in homes that have never had a full system.

Trafford Council: Runs energy support through their housing and environmental health teams. While Trafford has a lower proportion of fuel-poor households than some boroughs, targeted support is available for eligible residents in areas like Old Trafford, Stretford and Partington.

National Schemes Available Through Local Councils

In addition to local programmes, several national schemes are delivered through or signposted by Greater Manchester councils:

• government energy efficiency schemes: The main national insulation scheme, available to benefits recipients in properties rated EPC D or below. Your council can make government energy efficiency scheme flexibility provisions referrals if you do not receive qualifying benefits but are in fuel poverty.
• government insulation scheme (government insulation scheme): Targets homes in Council Tax bands A-D with specific insulation measures. Available regardless of benefits status in many cases.
• government heat pump grant: up to £7,500 towards a heat pump. Available to all homeowners replacing fossil fuel heating.
• winter energy discount scheme: a discount off electricity bills (currently £150, subject to change) for eligible households. Most councils can help you check eligibility and apply.

Our guides to government energy efficiency schemes eligibility and the government heat pump grant cover these national programmes in detail.

How to Access Support

The single best step is to contact your local council and ask about energy support for homeowners. Here is the typical process:

Step 1: Call your council’s housing or environment team and explain your situation. Mention your property type, heating system, any benefits you receive and what issues you are experiencing (high bills, cold rooms, damp).

Step 2: The council will assess which schemes you may be eligible for and either process your application directly or refer you to a qualified installer or guidance service.

Step 3: A surveyor will visit your home to assess what improvements are needed and confirm your eligibility.

Step 4: Work is carried out by qualified contractors at no cost (for fully funded schemes) or with a clear cost agreement (for part-funded schemes).

Private Landlords and Rented Properties

Greater Manchester has a large private rented sector, and landlords have a legal obligation to bring rented properties up to EPC band E or above. Several councils actively enforce this and provide support for landlords who need to improve their properties. government energy efficiency schemes funding is available for rented homes where the tenant receives qualifying benefits, and some councils offer grants or low-interest loans for landlords making energy improvements.

If you are a tenant in a cold, poorly insulated rental property, contact your council’s housing standards team. They can enforce minimum energy efficiency standards and help you access support.

Do I have to be on benefits to get a grant?

Not always. The government energy efficiency scheme flexibility provisions route allows councils to refer households that are not on benefits but are in fuel poverty. The government insulation scheme targets homes by Council Tax band rather than benefits status. And the government heat pump grant is available to homeowners who meet the property and eligibility criteria (no income test, but other requirements apply). Always ask your council what you might qualify for even if you do not receive benefits.

How long does it take to get a grant approved?

Timescales vary by scheme and demand. government energy efficiency schemes applications can take 4-12 weeks for approval. Council-run schemes may have waiting lists of several months during peak demand. The government heat pump grant is generally quicker, with approval often within 2-4 weeks. Start the process early if you want work done before the next winter.

Can I combine multiple grants?

In many cases, yes. You might receive government energy efficiency schemes funding for insulation and the government heat pump grant for a heat pump on the same property. However, you cannot use two grants to fund the same specific measure. Your council or installer can advise on how to stack different funding sources to maximise the support you receive.