Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland News: page 3
- 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.
- December 2024
Draft Fuel Poverty Strategy consultation opens in Northern Ireland
The Department for Communities has opened a public consultation on a draft Fuel Poverty Strategy for Northern Ireland, alongside proposals for a new fuel poverty energy efficiency scheme.
Extreme fuel poverty falls to 14.0% in 2024
The Scottish House Condition Survey 2024 reports that 357,000 households, 14.0 per cent of all households in Scotland, were in extreme fuel poverty, a fall of 134,000 from 2023.
Scottish fuel poverty rate falls to 28.7% in 2024
The Scottish House Condition Survey 2024 estimates 732,000 households, 28.7 per cent of Scotland's total, were in fuel poverty, down from 859,000 and 33.9 per cent in 2023 as heating fuel prices fell.
Weighted fuel price index for Scotland falls 23.3% in 2024
The weighted average index price of heating fuels in Scotland fell by about 23.3% in 2024 against 2023, with gas down 25.0% and electricity down 15.2%, as fuel poverty fell to 28.7% of households.
- November 2024
Welsh Government announces additional £700,000 for Fuel Bank Foundation schemes
The Welsh Government has added £700,000 to Fuel Bank Foundation fuel voucher and Heat Fund schemes, bringing support for 2024/25 to £1.2m for households that pre-pay for energy.
Addendum to BRIA for amended New Build Heat Standard published
The Scottish Government has published an addendum to its impact assessment for an amended New Build Heat Standard, permitting bioenergy and peat heating systems in new buildings from 1 January 2025.
Scottish Government announced £41 million additional energy cost support
The Scottish Government put £41 million into winter 2024/2025 energy cost support, split between the Scottish Welfare Fund and Warmer Homes Scotland.
- October 2024
Scottish Government publishes Heat in Buildings progress report 2024
The Scottish Government has published its 2024 Heat in Buildings progress report, showing over £210 million of delivery scheme funding in 2023-24 and rising heat pump installations.
Welsh Ministers approve amendments to Approved Document J on carbon monoxide alarms
The Welsh Ministers have approved amendments to Approved Document J, extending carbon monoxide alarm guidance to new or replacement fixed flued combustion appliances of any fuel type in Welsh dwellings from 6 January 2025.