Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland news, page 5
- March 2024
NIA responds to Scottish Government Heat in Buildings Bill consultation
The National Insulation Association has told the Scottish Government it supports its Heat in Buildings Bill proposals but wants solid wall insulation added to the list of measures used to meet minimum energy efficiency standards.
Children's rights impact assessment published for new Warm Homes Programme
The Welsh Government has published a children's rights impact assessment for its new Warm Homes Programme, which replaces Nest and extends eligibility to low income households as well as those on benefits.
Social Housing Net Zero Standard consultation closed
The Scottish Government's consultation on a new Social Housing Net Zero Standard closed on 8 March 2024, with responses now under independent analysis ahead of a report.
Welsh Government publishes integrated impact assessment for new Warm Homes Programme
The Welsh Government has published an integrated impact assessment for its new Warm Homes Programme, setting out a £260 million cost, carbon savings and a worst first approach to fuel poverty.
AECB reports Prospecthill Court retrofit as biggest AECB Retrofit project thus far in the UK
River Clyde Homes is retrofitting 90 flats in a 15-storey Greenock tower block with Kier Group, a project the AECB describes as its largest UK retrofit and the first to its standards in Scotland.
Fuel Insecurity Fund ceased
The Scottish Government's Fuel Insecurity Fund ceased in 2024/25, after making more than £63 million available to households since late winter 2020.
Order made extending Scottish permitted development rights for renewables, windows and electricity network infrastructure
The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Scotland) Amendment Order 2024 extends permitted development rights for domestic and non-domestic renewables, window replacement and electricity network infrastructure.
- February 2024
Scottish House Condition Survey 2022 key findings published
The Scottish Government's 2022 Scottish House Condition Survey puts fuel poverty at 31% of households, around 791,000, up from 24.6% in 2019, with 18.5% in extreme fuel poverty.
Addendum to NISEP 2023/25 Framework Document published
The Utility Regulator published a February 2024 addendum to the NISEP 2023/25 Framework Document, changing income eligibility, heat pump monitoring, governance and customer protections.
- January 2024
Publication of Air Source Heat Pump Noise & Permitted Development Rights in Wales reports (phase 1 & 2)
The Welsh Government has published two reports on air source heat pump noise and permitted development rights, examining whether the current three-metre boundary rule should change.
Scottish Central Government Energy Efficiency Grant Scheme stopped funding new measures
The Scottish Central Government Energy Efficiency Grant Scheme has not funded new measures since January 2024, with its funding due to end in 2026, according to the Scottish Government's Heat in Buildings progress report.
- December 2023
Scottish Government publishes update to Building Standards Technical Handbook implementing New Build Heat Standard
The Scottish Government has published a Building Standards Technical Handbook update implementing the New Build Heat Standard, banning gas and oil boilers in new homes from April 2024 but leaving the notional house specification unchanged.
Scottish Fuel Poverty Advisory Panel notes planned closure of Fuel Insecurity Fund in 2024/25 Budget
The Scottish Fuel Poverty Advisory Panel has told ministers it is extremely disappointed by plans to close the Fuel Insecurity Fund and cut housing and buildings budgets from April 2024.
Scottish Government publishes easy read consultation on Heat in Buildings Bill
The Scottish Government has published an easy read version of its Heat in Buildings Bill consultation, setting out proposed dates for ending polluting heating and for minimum energy efficiency standards.
- November 2023
Heat in Buildings Bill consultation opens
The Scottish Government has opened a consultation on proposals for a Heat in Buildings Bill, setting out plans to regulate the heating systems and energy efficiency of homes and other buildings.
Consumer Scotland publishes briefing on winter energy bill support options ahead of the Autumn Statement
Consumer Scotland has published a briefing on options for targeted winter energy bill support, arguing for help through the prepayment meter Energy Price Guarantee and setting out drawbacks of the Warm Home Discount in Scotland.
Cold Weather Payment scheme for 2023 to 2024 opens
The Cold Weather Payment scheme for 2023 to 2024 opened in November 2023, paying £25 for each seven-day period of very cold weather in England and Wales until 31 March 2024.
Scottish government delays fossil fuel boiler phase-out by at least three years
The Scottish government has postponed the start of its phase-out of fossil fuel boilers by at least three years, announcing the change alongside a consultation on a new heating bill.
- October 2023
Scottish Government publishes Heat in Buildings progress report 2023
The Scottish Government's 2023 Heat in Buildings progress report records £170 million of capital investment through delivery schemes and confirms a consultation on a Heat in Buildings Bill.
National Insulation Association submits response to Scottish Government EPC reform consultation
The National Insulation Association has told the Scottish Government it backs a separate fabric rating on reformed EPCs, a five-year validity period and wider installer choice for Home Energy Scotland funding.
NIE Networks announces change to design standard for new domestic connections
NIE Networks will introduce a higher-capacity design standard for new domestic connections from 1 November 2023, after a consultation on accommodating electric vehicle chargers and heat pumps.
Energy debt question first asked in tracker at 8%
Consumer Scotland's energy tracker shows the share of Scottish households in energy debt rose from 8% in October 2023 to 19% in winter 2026, with total GB debt and arrears reaching £4.55bn.
Warm Homes Discount Scheme reopens
The Warm Home Discount reopens in October 2023, with eligibility checks available from that month and payments made automatically to eligible households.
- August 2023
Welsh Government publishes consultation on the Heat Strategy for Wales
The Welsh Government has published a consultation on its heat strategy for Wales, setting out plans to move homes and businesses away from fossil fuel heating towards electrification.
Mobile heat pump training facility launched at South Lanarkshire College
A Scottish Government funded mobile heat pump training centre, certified by BPEC, was launched at South Lanarkshire College on 2 August to train installers across Scotland.
Consumer Council research estimates 51% of Northern Ireland households in fuel poverty
Consumer Council research estimates 51 per cent of Northern Ireland households were in fuel poverty in early 2023, up from 34 per cent in 2022, with 48 per cent unable to afford to heat their homes.
Scottish Government limited solar funding to homes with renewable heating systems
The Scottish Government restricted Home Energy Scotland solar funding to homes with renewable heating from August 2023, before solar and battery support was withdrawn entirely in June 2024.
Welsh Government publishes draft Heat Strategy for Wales for consultation
The Welsh Government has published a draft Heat Strategy for Wales, setting out its path to net zero heat by 2050 and opening the document to consultation.
- July 2023
Scottish Government publishes EPC reform consultation
The Scottish Government has opened a consultation on reforming domestic and non-domestic Energy Performance Certificates, proposing new metrics, a shorter validity period and a move to a webpage format.
Draft Heat Strategy for Wales published for consultation
The Welsh Government published its Draft Heat Strategy for Wales for consultation in summer 2023, setting out long term requirements for decarbonising heat across all sectors by 2050.