The UK government is set to introduce a new scheme this month which will see thousands of homeowners in England become eligible to apply for £5,000 home improvement grants.
According to a statement published today via the gov.uk website, the new scheme will see the government fund up to two-thirds of the cost of home improvements of over 600,000 homes, and also support over 100,000 jobs in green construction.
Further details of the range of measures included and how consumers in England will be able to claim the new vouchers – which are worth up to £5,000 for homeowners – are being set out by government ministers today, and households on low income will also be eligible to receive vouchers covering 100% of the cost of the improvements, up to a maximum of £10,000.
1/ We’re funding £2bn of Green Home Grants helping to unlock work for thousands of plumbers, builders and tradespeople.
Homeowners will receive vouchers to pay for at least two-thirds of green improvements such as loft, wall and floor insulation. #PlanForJobspic.twitter.com/LMktNyBnAn
Later this month, homeowners across England will be able to access advice and support on improving the energy efficiency of their homes from the Simple Energy Advice (SEA) service, and the SEA will then suggest appropriate home improvements that homeowners may be able to apply for support in funding.
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The Green Homes Grant will give homeowners – including owner occupiers and social/private landlords – vouchers to install one or more of the following:
Solid Wall, Under-Floor, Cavity Wall, or Roof Insulation
Air Source, or Ground Source Heat Pump
Solar Thermal
Additionally, households can use their voucher for further energy saving measures, and these include one or more of the following:
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Double or Triple Glazing/Secondary Glazing (when replacing single glazing)
Upgrading to Energy Efficient Doors
Hot Water Tank/Appliance Tank Thermostats/Heating Controls
Chief Executive of the Energy Saving Trust, Mike Thornton, said: “The Green Homes Grant is a significant investment by the government in energy efficiency which will provide long term benefits to householders and the environment by cutting fuel bills and reducing carbon emissions.
“It will particularly help low-income households access much-needed funds to make their homes warmer [and] I would really encourage homeowners to apply for the scheme.”
Tradespeople are also being urged by the government to register their participation for the scheme today.
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Calling all tradespeople! 📣👷🏽
Our new £2bn Green Homes Grant will part fund improvements of over 600,000 homes, supporting over 100,000 jobs in green construction.
— Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (@SciTechgovuk) August 4, 2020
In order to be eligible to take part in the scheme, tradespeople must register for TrustMark or Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) accreditations, which will then cover the above green home improvement measures that are said to potentially help families save up to £600 a year on their energy bills.
Speaking on the launch of the scheme, Business and Energy Secretary, Alok Sharma, said: “Green home improvements will save people money on their energy bills, help to cut carbon emissions, and create new work for many thousands of builders, plumbers and other tradespeople [and] Our TrustMark scheme will guarantee that building work is completed to a high standard by accredited tradespeople, ensuring consumers are fully protected.”
Chancellor Rishi Sunak added: “The Green Homes Grant is a vital part of our plan for jobs as we secure the UK’s economic recovery from coronavirus [and] this is going to be a green recovery with concern for our environment at its heart.”
“It will help to protect and create jobs, while also saving people money and cutting carbon.”
For further information on applying for the Green Homes Grant, visit the gov.uk website here.
News
NHS urgently needs 500,000 men to take part in ‘major’ cancer research programme
Emily Sergeant
Half a million men are needed to take part in a ‘major’ cancer research programme.
From this week, the NHS has announced that it will begin contacting 500,000 men to invite them to join a major research programme that will work to improve the vital early detection and treatment of prostate cancer.
Men who have had or are living with prostate cancer will receive letters and text messages explaining how they can register to take part.
It’s hoped that this will become one of the world’s largest prostate cancer studies.
Formally named ‘Prostate Progress’, the study is designed to speed up the development of better tests, treatments, and care – with the NHS aiming to recruit as many participants as possible to improve how prostate cancer is diagnosed and treated, as well as understanding the side effects of treatment and the impact they have on quality of life.
The NHS urgently needs 500,000 men to take part in a ‘major’ cancer research programme / Credit: rawpixel
Prostate cancer is now the most common cancer in the UK, with around 60,000 new cases diagnosed every year and over 12,000 deaths annually.
Men who join ‘Prostate Progress’ will be asked to complete questionnaires about their experiences of living with the disease every few months.
Verified researchers will then be able compare men’s experiences of living with prostate cancer against their NHS records – including their symptoms and quality of life.
The NHS says it is ‘particularly keen’ to hear from black men for the programme, as they are at approximately twice the risk of developing prostate cancer – with around one in four black men in the UK expected to be diagnosed during their lifetime.
“Better representation will help researchers understand and address differences in diagnosis, treatment and outcomes,” the NHS said in a statement.
“Prostate cancer is now the most common cancer in the UK,” explained Health Minister, James Frith. “Every piece of data we gather brings us closer to the tests and treatments that future patients will depend on to live well for longer.
“Prostate Progress has the potential to become a hugely important resource, but only if men come forward and share their experiences, so I encourage anyone who receives an invitation to sign up.
“This is the kind of innovation the government’s National Cancer Plan is designed to support, making the NHS a world-leading destination for cancer research and ensuring patients across the country can help shape the treatments of tomorrow.”
Featured Image – Vitaly Gariev (via Unsplash)
News
Police charge and name man after broad daylight stabbing of 19-year-old in Northern Quarter
Emily Sergeant
A man has been charged and publicly named after the stabbing of a teenager in the Northern Quarter last week.
Bandar Alzahar has been charged with attempted murder and possession of a bladed article in a public place, and has been remanded in custody ahead of a scheduled appearance at Manchester & Salford Magistrates Court today (Monday 3 August 2026).
The charges come after a 19-year-old man was stabbed in the Northern Quarter, in Manchester city centre, last Friday (31 July).
The shocking incident took place in broad daylight at around 12:50pm on Church Street.
After police attended the scene, they ‘quickly located’ a suspect – initially described as just being a man in his early 20s – at Manchester Airport within three hours of the incident occurring, and he was subsequently arrested on suspicion of Section 18 assault.
The victim sadly remains in hospital in a stable condition but with life-threatening injuries, police have confirmed.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) are still appealing to the public for information. In a public plea, police wrote: “We are still asking for information from anyone that may have witnessed the incident on Church Street to get in touch with us.
“This includes any CCTV, mobile phone or Dashcam footage that may assist our enquiries.”
Any information can be submitted to GMP by calling 101, quoting log 1580 of 31/07/2026. Alternatively, you can contact independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
The Manc -
4th August 2020 
