The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health and the Building Research Establishment both expressed their disappointment that there was no mention of any funding proposals in the new Chancellor's mini-Budget (or "Fiscal Event" as the Government has named it) to properly solve the winter fuel poverty crisis via improving residential energy efficiency.

The CIEH pointed out that it was amongst "over 60 organisations, from energy firms to climate and poverty campaigners, who have urged the Government to correct course and prioritise energy efficiency measures that could have saved millions from suffering fuel poverty this winter." and that the lack of any funding proposal in the mini Budget was a "missed opportunity".

The BRE said "We were disappointed that [the Budget] contained no measures to improve the energy efficiency of our homes ...." and that "retrofitting our building stock is an immediate and cost effective solution." The call to fund retrofitting echoes calls from organisations such as the Resolution Foundation and the Institute for Public Policy Research.

However, subsequent to criticism by the CIEH and BRE the Government has said reiterated that it is providing funding for energy efficiency measures through the £500 million boiler upgrade scheme and that it has also provided £15 million of funding for innovation proposals to make production and installation of heat pumps in UK homes (notoriously the least energy efficient amongst comparable countries in Europe). This is part of its wider £60 million heat pump funding scheme with a target of 600,000 heat pumps installed in homes by 2028. Though there have been calls for this target to be increased to 900,000 homes given the current energy crisis campaigners for retrofitting are talking of amounts in the billions of pounds and, effectively, are saying that the tax cut to the 45% higher earning tax rate means that money that could have funded an intense retrofit programme has instead gone to those not at risk of fuel poverty. Perhaps a proper, full, Budget in November or early next year may head off the criticism of the CIEH and BRE but, it won't deal with fuel poverty from energy inefficiency this winter.