Beyond the Spending Review: Real lives powering a zero carbon Britain

On the same day the government reaffirmed its manifesto commitments (June 11), the 2025 Ashden Awards celebrated pioneering organisations advancing retrofit and clean energy across the UK – showing what real progress on climate and fairness looks like in action.

In the day, Ashden warmly welcomed the government’s Spending Review, praising the continuation of its commitments to the £13.2bn investment in home energy upgrades through the Warm Homes Plan and GB Energy as a decisive step towards a fairer, greener future.

That evening, at the 25th anniversary Ashden Awards ceremony, Dr Ashok Sinha, CEO of Ashden, said:

“We applaud the government’s energetic efforts to decarbonise the UK’s electricity grid by 2030 – and we wish them well.

“But the calculated cultural assault on net zero and our international obligations has intensified over the last 12 months. Facts, evidence, and appeals to reason are vital – but so too are human stories, like those of our Award winners and the lives they are changing. These stories are key to challenging false narratives and rebuilding hope and excitement about a better, fairer future.”

The government’s commitments mean vital work to make homes more energy-efficient can now move ahead at scale. The expertise of companies like this year’s UK Ashden Award winners – retrofit company Cotality, community energy co-op Repowering, and solar rooftop installer Emergent Energy – are all impressive examples of how progress in the housing and energy sector in the UK is already happening, and with the right support, can scale up.

Retrofit specialist Cotality, working with Yorkshire housing association Broadacres, has helped residents like Tony Smith and his family experience dramatic improvements in their health, welfare and household finances.

Tony Smith, a pensioner living in social housing in Yorkshire, describes the impact of retrofit on his home and family: “Before the retrofit, our energy costs were just prohibitive. We could only heat one room downstairs, and maybe one bedroom. Now we can heat the whole house – and our electricity bill has dropped by 30%. The difference to my wife and daughter’s health is incredible.”

Tony’s home was upgraded by retrofit specialist Cotality, working his Yorkshire social housing provider Broadacres. The project included solar panels, an air source heat pump, triple glazing, and loft insulation – measures that have greatly improved indoor warmth and comfort for his family, who live with Raynaud’s disease.

“It’s been a fascinating experience. The solar panels work hand-in-glove with the air source heat pump.”

Cotality Director Russell Smith said: “Stories like Tony’s show why upgrading the UK’s housing stock is essential. But to scale this nationally, we need two things: incentives for homeowners and landlords, and a skilled workforce to complete good quality works.”

Creating clean, green skills for the future

Creating opportunities in retrofit and community energy will also be vital, says Afsheen Kabir Rashid. CEO of Repowering London. Its groundbreaking community energy projects are creating jobs, tackling fuel poverty, and giving power – literally and figuratively – back to under-represented communities.

Repowering London’s community energy co-ops are led by residents, and profits from clean energy sales – over £250,000 so far – are reinvested in local initiatives. Repowering has supported 11 co-ops across the capital, bringing solar to estates, schools and community hubs. It has created jobs and training for young people – particularly from under-represented communities, tackled fuel poverty, and delivered funds for local initiatives.

Since winning its first Ashden Award in 2016, Repowering’s capacity has grown 500%, with further growth expected.