Citizens Advice response to Government consultation on extending the ECO4 end date

Citizens Advice response to Government consultation on extending the ECO4 end date 139 KB

We support the Government’s proposal to extend the ECO4 scheme end date beyond March 2026 to avoid a cliff edge for consumers.

However, extending the timeframe without extending the obligation itself creates a risk that delivery levels will fall. This could create supply chain instability, make it harder to meet 2030 fuel poverty targets and fulfil the aims of the Warm Homes Plan. At a minimum, the government should consult on the successor scheme during the ECO4 extension and ensure it is designed to deliver clear and lasting benefits for consumers. We suggest that consultation should take place as soon as possible to give industry and households enough time to prepare.

We welcome stronger interim consumer protections during the extension, though more detail is needed. The next iteration of the scheme must embed a stronger consumer protections framework.