Powering Homes News: page 19
- November 2025
Energy Systems Catapult publishes response to Ofgem lower-standing-charge tariff consultation
Energy Systems Catapult has backed Ofgem's plan to require suppliers to offer lower-standing-charge tariffs but says the proposal lacks a clear plan to manage risks of reduced competition and consumer harm.
Instaclad no longer meets the approved description
Ofgem has confirmed that the Instaclad external wall insulation system no longer meets its approved innovation measure description under ECO4, after its BBA certificate was withdrawn.
Nesta published a project update on a local clean heat planning tool
Nesta has published details of a prototype tool that groups neighbouring properties by the low-carbon heating technology deemed most suitable for them, starting in Plymouth.
UK Power Networks announces partnership with Diabetes UK to promote Priority Services Register
UK Power Networks has partnered with Diabetes UK to promote its Priority Services Register to customers who depend on electricity for insulin storage and medical equipment.
Valiant radiator fan recalled over fire risk
The Valiant rechargeable radiator fan has been recalled from end users because its lithium-ion polymer battery may fail and catch fire, the Office for Product Safety and Standards said on 7 November 2025.
Engagement condition changed to require positive customer action
Ofgem has changed the engagement condition in its proposed Debt Relief Scheme so that customers must take positive action, such as making a payment, rather than suppliers merely discussing options with them.
Ofgem publishes Debt Relief Scheme Impact Assessment
Ofgem has published an impact assessment for its proposed Debt Relief Scheme, estimating Phase 1 would write off between £312.4 million and £472.9 million of eligible debt across 280,000 to 400,000 accounts.
Ofgem publishes detailed proposals for the Debt Relief Scheme
Ofgem has set out detailed proposals for a one-time Debt Relief Scheme to write off energy debt built up during the crisis, with phase one expected to support up to 200,000 households.
Rules and RegulationEnergy Bills and the Price CapGrants and Schemes
Ofgem publishes regulatory expectations for suppliers on Additional Support Credit
Ofgem has published regulatory expectations telling suppliers how they should assess and provide Additional Support Credit to vulnerable prepayment customers who have self-disconnected or are at risk of doing so.
Rules and RegulationEnergy SuppliersEnergy Bills and the Price Cap
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.
SMMT publishes statement opposing pay-per-mile electric vehicle tax
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders has said a proposed pay-per-mile tax on electric vehicles would be a strategic mistake at a pivotal moment for the UK's EV transition.
SSEN completes £8 million Southampton network upgrade
SSEN has completed an £8 million upgrade to its network in the North Baddesley area of Southampton, adding 47.8 MVA of capacity and putting nearly 7 km of cable underground for more than 7,500 customers.
Tomato Energy ceases trading and British Gas appointed by Ofgem to take on its customers
Tomato Energy ceased trading on 5 November 2025 and British Gas has been appointed by Ofgem to take on its customers under the Supplier of Last Resort process.
Consumer Scotland publishes response to Ofgem consultation on lower standing charge tariffs
Consumer Scotland has published its response to Ofgem's consultation on requiring suppliers to offer at least one lower standing charge tariff, backing a temporary approach and warning of cost redistribution.
Interconnector Ltd reduced GB import capacity
Interconnector Ltd has cut its GB import capacity from 73mcm/d to 61mcm/d from 4 November 2025, with a further reduction to 36mcm/d planned from 1 October 2026.
Audit results show widespread faults in ECO4 and GBIS wall insulation
Government audit results published in January 2026 found that 92% of external wall insulation and 27% of internal wall insulation installations under ECO4 and GBIS had at least one major technical non-compliance.
Citizens Advice publishes report on warmer homes for private renters in Wales
Citizens Advice has published a report calling on the UK Government to raise minimum energy efficiency standards for private rented homes and on the Welsh Government to expand the Nest scheme.
Citizens Advice responds to Ofgem heat networks consumer protection guidance consultation
Citizens Advice has welcomed Ofgem's consumer protection guidance for heat networks but asked the regulator to clarify billing, back-billing, contract updates and vulnerable customer protections before rules start in January 2026.
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.
Energy Bills and the Price CapGrants and SchemesScotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
RECCo submits response to Ofgem debt-related cost allowance consultation
The Retail Energy Code Company has told Ofgem that an extra allowance for debt-related costs inside the default tariff cap would raise bills for customers who pay on time.
Autumn Budget confirms end of green levy and ECO4 funding
The 2025 Autumn Budget confirmed the end of the green levy and with it ECO4 funding, closing council-run ECO4 Flex schemes and stopping new applications.
Grants and SchemesEnergy Bills and the Price CapRules and Regulation
British Gas Energy Trust hosted London Disability Summit
British Gas Energy Trust hosted the London Disability Summit, bringing policy, regulatory and delivery leaders together to discuss targeted action for disabled and vulnerable people, including closing the fuel poverty gap.
Budget 2025 announces end of ECO funding in March 2026
The government announced at Budget 2025 that funding for the Energy Company Obligation would end in March 2026, with ECO measures continuing until the end of 2026.
Budget 2025 delivered by Chancellor Rachel Reeves
The 2025 Budget phases out the Energy Company Obligation by 31 March 2026, cuts household energy bills by an average of £150, and adds £1.5 billion to the Warm Homes Plan.
Budget announces £150 energy bill reduction
The November 2025 Budget cut energy bills by around £150 a year from April 2026, but a renewed gas price surge is expected to wipe out that saving.
Budget changes remove levies from electricity bills
Budget changes remove some levies from electricity bills, cutting the running cost of clean electric technologies, according to analysis of the Warm Homes Plan published by the charity Nesta.
Budget scraps ECO funding mechanism and adds Warm Homes Plan funding
The Budget ended the levy that funded the Energy Company Obligation and added £1.5 billion to the Warm Homes Plan, taking the parliamentary commitment to £14.7 billion.
Cold Weather Payment winter period opens
The 2025 to 2026 Cold Weather Payment period has opened, running from 1 November 2025 to 31 March 2026 and paying £25 for each seven-day spell of very cold weather.
Connected for Warmth insulation programme ran from March 2023 to November 2025
Agility has reported that its Connected for Warmth insulation scheme, backed by the National Grid energy efficiency fund, ran from March 2023 to November 2025 and insulated thousands of homes in England and Wales.
CSE reviewed its underfloor heating advice guide
The Centre for Sustainable Energy reviewed its underfloor heating advice in November 2025, setting out installation costs of £60-85 per square metre for electric systems and £90-110 for wet systems.