Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland news from 2025
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- December 2025
SSEN activates Weather Warning level of preparedness in northern Scotland
SSEN has moved to its first level of heightened preparedness across northern Scotland ahead of forecast snow, ice and wind gusts of up to 65mph, with extra teams deployed.
ECO4 Delivery Guidance version 3.2 published
Ofgem published version 3.2 of its ECO4 delivery guidance on 8 December 2025, clarifying when non-compliant measures are rejected and how rural areas are defined in Scotland.
Scottish Parliament approved the 2025 Regulations
The Scottish Parliament approved the remainder of the Energy Performance of Buildings (Scotland) Regulations 2025 in December 2025, but the new-style EPC certificates they introduce will not now come into force until 30 April 2028.
Welsh Government committed £1.5 million to warm hubs
The Welsh Government has committed £1.5 million in its 2025 to 2026 budget to support more than 400 warm hubs across Wales, building on £4 million of investment since 2022.
Welsh Government publishes summary of responses and next steps
The Welsh Government has published its response to a consultation on permitted development rights, backing most air source heat pump proposals and putting off-street EV charging changes into a second phase.
- November 2025
Consumer Scotland responds to WHD continuation consultation
Consumer Scotland has told the UK government it supports continuing the Warm Home Discount beyond March 2026 but wants automatic data matching, earlier payments and a centralised helpline in Scotland.
Scottish Government statement on draft heat buildings legislation
The Scottish Government has paused its Heat in Buildings Bill for this parliamentary session, publishing a draft instead and offering grants of up to £9,000 for heat network connections.
Scottish Government publishes Climate Change Plan 2026-2040
The Scottish Government published its draft Climate Change Plan for 2026 to 2040 on 6 November 2025, setting out policies and proposals intended to meet Scotland's first three carbon budgets.
Scottish Government announces almost £1 million extra funding for energy debt advice services
The Scottish Government has allocated £944,000 in additional funding to three advice organisations to expand energy debt support, announced by Housing Secretary Màiri McAllan at the start of Talk Money Week.
Draft Buildings (Heating and Energy Performance) and Heat Networks (Scotland) Bill published
The Scottish Government has published a draft Bill that would create an opt in licensing regime for heat network developers and require some buildings in designated zones to adopt decarbonised heat.
Draft Energy Performance of Buildings (Scotland) Regulations 2025 laid
Draft Energy Performance of Buildings (Scotland) Regulations 2025 were laid before the Scottish Parliament in autumn 2025, as part of a wider draft Bill setting a 2045 heat decarbonisation target.
Proposed Heat in Buildings Bill paused
The Scottish Government has paused its proposed Heat in Buildings Bill, citing delay to the UK Government's Warm Homes Plan and limited time left in the parliamentary session.
- October 2025
Energy Saving Trust publishes response to Scottish Government permitted development rights consultation
The Energy Saving Trust has told the Scottish Government that permitted development rights for domestic heat pumps should require MCS 020 compliance, allow two units on detached houses and cover heat network connections.
Final Government Response on EPC reform published
The Scottish Government has published its final response to three rounds of consultation on Energy Performance Certificate reform, confirming new regulations laid in October 2025 and a revised in-force date of 30 April 2028.
Energy Saving Trust publishes response to Energy Efficient Scotland owner-occupied homes consultation
The Energy Saving Trust has published its response supporting a Scottish Government proposal for a legally binding energy efficiency standard covering owner-occupied homes in Scotland.
Most Child Winter Heating Payments made automatically from early October 2025
Most Child Winter Heating Payments in Scotland are being made automatically from early October 2025, with the one-off payment set at £255.80 for winter 2025/26.
Scottish Government adjusts Heat Retention Rating bandings ahead of new EPC regulations
The Scottish Government has adjusted the Heat Retention Rating bandings and redesigned the Heating System Rating on reformed EPCs, ahead of new regulations to be laid in Parliament on 10 October 2025.
- September 2025
Scottish Government opens consultation on permitted development rights to support new homes
The Scottish Government consulted on changing permitted development rights for rural homes, town centre living, heat networks and domestic air source heat pumps, then decided against making changes.
DESNZ publishes consultation on continuing the Warm Home Discount Scheme
DESNZ has consulted on continuing the Warm Home Discount beyond 31 March 2026, setting out three options for Scotland for the 2026/27 scheme period.
New EPC regulations due to be laid in Scottish Parliament
Scottish ministers have confirmed that reformed EPC regulations introducing the new HRR rating are due to be laid in the Scottish Parliament in September 2025, ahead of coming into force in autumn 2026.
- August 2025
Consultation on private rented sector energy efficiency standards closes
The Scottish Government consultation on draft minimum energy efficiency standards for privately rented homes closed on 29 August 2025, with responses from Home Energy Scotland, the National Insulation Association and the Energy Saving Trust.
Welsh Government opens consultation on Part L 2025 review
The Welsh Government opened a consultation on 26 August 2025 on changes to Building Regulations Part L, Part F and Part O and their Approved Document guidance, covering energy efficiency in new and existing buildings.
Data shows 95 per cent of CO alarms untested in 2024
Wales & West Utilities says 95 per cent of carbon monoxide alarms went untested in 2024, based on data from more than 50,000 connected alarms, and is urging Somerset households to test theirs.
Met Office issues Amber Weather Warning for Wind for most of Scotland
The Met Office has issued an Amber Weather Warning for Wind covering most of Scotland from 1000 to 2300, as Storm Floris brings gusts of up to 100mph and expected power disruption.
Welsh Government consultation version issued
The Welsh Government has published a consultation version of Approved Document L Volume 1 for dwellings, proposing the Home Energy Model in place of SAP and a 2026 start date.
- July 2025
Scottish Government accepts Regulatory Review Group recommendations on EPC reform
The Scottish Government has accepted all five recommendations from its Regulatory Review Group on Energy Performance Certificate reform, covering Home Report alignment, mortgage lending, local authority enforcement, inspections and public engagement.
Civil sanctions replace criminal sanctions for Smoke Control Area enforcement in Wales
Civil monetary penalties of £175 to £300 per notice of intent replaced criminal sanctions for smoke emissions in Welsh smoke control areas from the end of July 2025, and approved appliance and fuel exceptions were removed.
Eligibility criteria for Warmer Homes Scotland widened
The Scottish Government has widened the eligibility criteria for Warmer Homes Scotland, so more households can qualify for energy-saving improvements and previous unsuccessful applicants may now be successful.
- June 2025
Fuel poverty plan review published with two actions closed and six new actions added
The Welsh Government has reviewed its Tackling Fuel Poverty Plan, closing two of the original ten short-term actions, extending eight and adding six new short-term actions.
Consumer Scotland publishes investigation report with nine recommendations
Consumer Scotland has published an investigation into the energy efficiency and low-carbon heating sector, setting out nine recommendations covering advice, standards, enforcement, funding and redress.
- April 2025
Welsh Government opens consultation on changes to permitted development rights in Wales
The Welsh Government consulted on changes to permitted development rights for air source heat pumps and off-street electric vehicle charging, opening on 8 April 2025 and closing on 1 July 2025.
Trading Standards in Scotland report short weight solid fuel packs
Trading Standards officers in Scotland found short weight packs in 28 of 70 solid fuel product lines checked at retail outlets, with the worst deficiencies reaching 3.52kg on a 14kg pack of logs.
ClimateXChange publishes study on flow temperature reduction in Scottish homes
ClimateXChange has published research finding most Scottish homes cannot run at 55°C flow temperatures today, but 76% could after higher cost retrofit.
ClimateXChange publishes study on housing market impacts of Scottish heating and energy efficiency regulations
A study published on 3 April 2025 models how the proposed Heat in Buildings Bill could affect the Scottish housing market, finding slower activity, higher rents and possible landlord exits.
NIE Networks launches Big Network Rebuild investment programme
NIE Networks has begun a six-year, c.£250m programme to rebuild and future-proof Northern Ireland's electricity distribution network, covering about 14,000km of lines and equipment.
Restriction on re-letting below EPC band D begins
Social landlords in Scotland should not re-let social housing below EPC band D from December 2025, under guidance supporting the Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing post 2020.
Scottish Government announces PoP requirement likely dropped from Heat in Buildings Bill
The Scottish Government has said the point of purchase clean heating requirement is likely to be dropped from the Heat in Buildings Bill due in the Scottish Parliament later in 2025.
- March 2025
Regulatory Review Group considers EPC reform Government Response
Scottish Government officials presented the EPC reform Government Response to the Regulatory Review Group on 25 March 2025, setting out five recommendations ahead of regulations due in Autumn 2026.
Consumer Scotland responds to DESNZ consultation on expanding the Warm Home Discount Scheme 2025-26
Consumer Scotland has backed plans to widen the Park Homes Warm Home Discount to households that do not pay suppliers directly, but says the expansion needs new money rather than funds taken from energy advice work.
Draft Fuel Poverty Strategy consultation closes
Northern Ireland's draft Fuel Poverty Strategy consultation closed at 23:59 GMT on Thursday 6 March 2025, ending an exercise on a long-term framework and a proposed energy efficiency scheme.
- January 2025
Welsh Government sets out fuel poverty measures in written statement
Jane Hutt's 27 January written statement sets out Welsh Government fuel poverty spending on benefit take-up, crisis funds, fuel vouchers and the Warm Homes Nest scheme, and renews calls for standing charge reform.
Publication of EPC reform consultation analysis
The Scottish Government has published independent analysis of its 2023 consultation on Energy Performance Certificate reform, showing broad organisational support but weaker backing from individuals for several proposals.
Scottish Government publishes analysis of EPC reform consultation
The Scottish Government has published independent analysis of its consultation on reforming domestic Energy Performance Certificate metrics, showing split views on the proposed ratings and majority opposition to including hot water heat demand in the fabric rating.
Scottish Government confirms intention to lay revised EPC regulations in 2025
The Scottish Government has confirmed it intends to lay revised Energy Performance Certificate regulations during 2025, to come into force in 2026 using the Home Energy Model.
Scottish Government decides to reduce EPC validity period to five years
The Scottish Government has confirmed it will cut the validity period of Energy Performance Certificates from 10 years to five, alongside a move to digital webpages and wider data sharing.
Regulations requiring low or zero emissions heating in existing buildings proposed from 2025
The Scottish Government's Heat in Buildings Strategy proposes requiring low or zero emissions heating systems in existing buildings from 2025, with a backstop date of 2045.
SAP to be replaced by Home Energy Model for EPCs
The Scottish Government has confirmed it will replace the SAP calculation method with the UK Home Energy Model and a new EPC Register, under regulations to be laid in 2025 and brought into force in 2026.
Scottish Government publishes response to EPC reform consultation
The Scottish Government has published its response to a 2023 consultation on reforming Energy Performance Certificates, introducing a new fabric-based Heat Retention Rating for homes in Scotland.
Scottish Government responds to 2023 EPC reform consultation
The Scottish Government has confirmed higher EPC lodgement fees, a shorter certificate validity period and a new rating system, with regulations due in Parliament during 2025 and in force in 2026.