Great British Insulation Scheme and ECO4 Local Authority Administration Guidance
Summary
Ofgem updated its Local Authority administration guidance for ECO4 and Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) Flex referral mechanisms to version 3.0. GBIS closed on 31 March 2026; all GBIS references in the guidance are now retrospective only. ECO4 Flex continues, allowing local authorities to refer fuel-poor households to energy suppliers for insulation measures outside standard eligibility criteria.
Why it matters
A redistributive consumer scheme, not a structural market intervention. Supplier obligation costs are passed through to bills, making this a regressive cross-subsidy from all consumers to eligible households.
Key facts
- •GBIS closed 31 March 2026
- •ECO4 Flex continues under updated v3.0 guidance
- •Local authorities can refer households they judge to be fuel-poor or low-income
- •Guidance last updated 27 March 2026
Timeline
Areas affected
Related programmes
Memo
Great British Insulation Scheme and ECO4 Local Authority Administration Guidance | Ofgem Please enable JavaScript in your web browser to get the best experience. BETA This site is currently in BETA. Help us improve by giving us your feedback . Close alert: Great British Insulation Scheme and ECO4 Local Authority Administration Guidance Publication type: Guidance Publication date: 3 April 2025 Last updated: 27 March 2026 Scheme name: Great British Insulation Scheme, ECO Show all updates Print this page Related links Great British Insulation Scheme and ECO4 LA and Supplier Flex Forms and Subsidiary Documents Energy Company Obligation (ECO) - Local Authorities Share the page Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn Great British Insulation Scheme and ECO4 Flex are household referral mechanisms within the wider schemes, which enable Local Authorities (LAs) and Devolved Administrations (DAs) to widen the eligibility criteria. This allows participating LAs or DAs to refer households they consider to be living in fuel poverty or on a low income, and vulnerable to the effects of living in a cold home, who may not qualify for the schemes via the standard eligibility criteria. This guidance sets out opportunities for LAs and DAs to engage with energy suppliers in meeting their obligations to install energy efficiency measures in homes under the Great British Insulation Scheme. This guidance document also outlines the requirements that are expected of LAs when referring eligible households for the scheme, as well as providing information on our oversight and administration process. GBIS closes on March 31 2026, all references to GBIS within the guidance are for retrospective purposes only. Main document ECO4 and GBIS Flex Local Authority Guidance [PDF, 688.95KB] Subsidiary documents ECO4 and GBIS Flex Local Authority Guidance Summary of Updates [PDF, 238.16KB] Print this page Related links Great British Insulation Scheme and ECO4 LA and Supplier Flex Forms and Subsidiary Documents Energy Company Obligation (ECO) - Local Authorities Share the page Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn All updates 27 March 2026 updated guidance document and summary of updates to version 3.0. Close