Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland News: page 2
- January 2026
Welsh Government announces £98.75 million for next round of Optimised Retrofit Programme
The Welsh Government has announced £98.75 million for the next round of the Optimised Retrofit Programme, taking total investment in social housing energy efficiency since 2020 past £466 million.
SSEN returns to 'Weather Warning' preparedness level for north of Scotland
SSEN has returned to its first heightened preparedness level for the north of Scotland, bringing in extra engineers and contact centre staff ahead of high winds, low temperatures and further snow.
- 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.