Powering Homes News: page 20
- November 2025
CSE reviews spray foam insulation advice
The Centre for Sustainable Energy reviewed its spray foam insulation guidance in November 2025, concluding that in almost all cases the material carries considerable risks and other insulation should be considered first.
Demand Flexibility Service became a year-round tool
The Demand Flexibility Service has moved from a winter-only emergency measure to a year-round tool used in the normal operation of the electricity market, according to the government's 2025 security of supply report.
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.
Electric car grant extended to 2030 with extra funding
The electric car grant has been extended to 2030 with an extra £1.3m of funding, alongside £200m for chargepoint roll out, as a pay-per-mile charge for electric vehicles was announced from 2028.
Full Business Case for Boiler Upgrade Scheme extension approved by InvestCo
The full business case for extending the Boiler Upgrade Scheme was approved by the Project Investment Committee in November 2025, with Treasury approval following in January 2026.
Gas system security of supply consultation published
The government has opened a consultation on Britain's long-term gas supply, setting out proposed policy actions to keep the system secure as the country moves away from fossil fuels.
GivEnergy launches All in One 2 home battery system
GivEnergy, the UK home battery maker behind the All in One 2 launched in November 2025, appointed administrators on 9 April 2026, with all employees made redundant as the company ceased trading.
Government consultation response sets out BUS changes
Ofgem's annual report on the Boiler Upgrade Scheme confirms the April 2026 rule changes that followed the government's November 2025 consultation response, alongside £560.3 million paid since launch.
Government consulted on further changes to PDRs for EV charging infrastructure
The government consulted in November 2025 on further permitted development rights changes for EV charging infrastructure, covering cross-pavement charging and larger commercial installations.
Government response confirms £2,500 grants for air-to-air heat pumps and heat batteries under the BUS
The Government has confirmed £2,500 grants for air-to-air heat pumps and heat batteries under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, with applications expected to open from 2026.
Ofgem announces consultation on home-move debt processes
Ofgem has set out plans to consult later this year on trialling new home-move processes that would require customers to contact their supplier to set up an account early.
Rules and RegulationEnergy SuppliersEnergy Bills and the Price Cap
Ofgem published a call for input on proposed Consumer Outcomes
Ofgem has opened a call for input on proposed Consumer Outcomes for the energy industry, published alongside survey findings showing household satisfaction with suppliers at a record high.
OVO customers receive Warm Home Discount payments 19 months late
Thousands of OVO customers waited more than 19 months for Warm Home Discount payments for winter 2023/24, with the supplier paying £2,765,200 in compensation to affected households.
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.
Social rented sector regulations came into force
Electrical safety rules for social housing landlords in England came into force on 1 November 2025, extending duties already applied to private rented homes.
StepChange responds to DESNZ consultation on continuing the Warm Home Discount scheme
StepChange has welcomed government plans to extend the Warm Home Discount for five more winters from 2026/27, while warning that the payment has barely risen since 2011 and calling for a national energy debt relief scheme.
Warm Home Discount scheme opens for 2025-26 winter
The Warm Home Discount has opened for winter 2025-26, giving eligible households in England, Wales and Scotland a one-off £150 reduction on their energy bill.
- October 2025
Government confirms MCS as sole certification scheme for clean heat measures under five schemes
DESNZ has confirmed it plans to mandate MCS as the sole certification scheme for clean heat measures across five government schemes, with MCS installers moving to a redeveloped scheme during 2026.
Government response to Part 2 of the consultation published
The government has confirmed that MCS will become the sole certification scheme for clean heat installations under four grant schemes, publishing its response to Part 2 of a consultation on 31 October 2025.
IMD data update creates new eligible postcode list
An October 2025 update to the Indices of Multiple Deprivation has produced a new set of eligible postcodes for the Warm Homes: Local Grant, with the previous 2019-based list retained until the end of the first delivery year.
Low Carbon Hub publishes Your Home Retrofit Guide
Low Carbon Hub has published a free plain-English guide to home retrofit, covering quick wins, planning, funding and local support for households in Oxfordshire and beyond.
Ofgem publishes draft impact assessment for Consumer Consent Solution
Ofgem has published a final impact assessment for the Consumer Consent Solution, confirming RECCo as delivery body and setting out costs, benefits and a 2028 review.
Committee publishes Tackling the energy cost crisis report
The Energy Security and Net Zero Committee published its report Tackling the energy cost crisis on 29 October 2025, and Ofgem has now responded to its recommendations on debt and the price cap.
Committee publishes Tackling the energy cost crisis report
The Energy Security and Net Zero Committee has published a report recommending reform of the Warm Home Discount, a social tariff, an Energy Debt Relief Scheme and wider Energy Ombudsman powers.
Government publishes Carbon Budget and Growth Delivery Plan
The Government published its Carbon Budget and Growth Delivery Plan on 29 October 2025, setting out how the UK will meet its legally binding climate targets, with the Climate Change Committee to assess it fully in June 2026.
Awaab's Law comes into force
Awaab's Law came into force on 27 October 2025, requiring social landlords in England to investigate damp and mould reports within 10 working days and make homes safe.
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.
Rules and RegulationScotland, Wales and Northern IrelandHeat Pumps
Which? publishes policy paper on financing for low carbon home heating
Which? has published a policy paper setting out eight tests for heat pump financing, with recommendations to government and business on consumer protection in a developing market.
Google ends support for 1st and 2nd gen Nest Learning Thermostats
Google will stop software and security updates for first and second generation Nest Learning Thermostats from 25 October 2025, ending remote control and app scheduling for owners of the earliest models.