Day December 2, 2025

Budget 2025 announced a £150 average reduction in household energy bills from April 2026, achieved by ending the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme and shifting 75% of Renewables Obligation (RO) costs from consumer bills onto general taxation. For households struggling with energy costs, this is welcome relief. The Treasury will fund the RO transfer at £2.3 billion annually, moving the burden from regressive per-unit levies to the broader tax base. But here's the problem: the ECO scheme that's being abolished generated £1.7 billion every year for energy efficiency installations in fuel-poor homes. Insulation, heating upgrades, electrical work that permanently reduces energy demand.

Here's what keeps showing up in training enquiries: "I've been working as an electrician for 7 years but never did an apprenticeship. How do I get qualified now?" Followed closely by: "Can I skip the NVQ if I've got experience?" and "What's the difference between EWA and gap training?" Honestly, the confusion is justified because training providers deliberately muddy the waters between legitimate experienced worker routes and shortcuts that don't exist. The UK electrical sector has two formal pathways for electricians with substantial experience who lack formal qualifications.