Powering Homes news, page 20
- December 2025
Citizens Advice, IPPR and Policy in Practice publish blueprint for targeted bill support
Citizens Advice, IPPR and Policy in Practice have published a blueprint for targeted bill support across water, motor insurance, energy and broadband, which they say could give an eligible household discounts of over £950 a year.
Draft NPPF consultation published proposing to prevent local authorities from setting local energy standards
A draft National Planning Policy Framework consultation published in December 2025 proposes to stop local authorities setting their own energy efficiency standards in planning policy, with responses due by 10 March.
Environmental Improvement Plan 2025 released
Labour released the Environmental Improvement Plan 2025 on 1 December 2025, completing a rapid review announced in July 2024 and setting out a revised statutory plan for environmental targets.
Fleet to Aldershot 132kV network upgrade completed ahead of schedule
SSEN Distribution has completed an £8.7m upgrade of the 132kV overhead line between Fleet and Aldershot in east Hampshire, finished ahead of schedule and benefiting more than 60,000 customers.
GB energy debt and arrears reach £4.55bn
Ofgem data cited by Consumer Scotland shows household energy debt and arrears in Great Britain reached £4.55bn in the fourth quarter of 2025, up £700 million in a year.
UK Government publishes environmental improvement plan including consultation on domestic burning emissions
The UK Government published its environmental improvement plan in December 2025, including a consultation on cutting emissions from burning in homes in England, with the effect on wood burners not yet clear.
Hackney consolidated 27 SCAs into one borough-wide zone
Hackney combined its 27 separate smoke control areas into a single borough-wide zone from 1 December 2025, part of a wider pattern of English councils consolidating older designations.
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.
Suppliers required to be able to offer Time of Use tariffs by 2025
Ofgem has said it is requiring energy suppliers to be able to offer Time of Use tariffs by 2025, a commitment set out in its September 2021 electric vehicle strategy.
Targets Framework for domestic meters concluded at end of 2025
The four-year Targets Framework that set energy suppliers annual domestic smart meter installation targets ended on 31 December 2025, with a 2030 completion obligation proposed to replace it.
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.
Grants and SchemesYour Type of HomeScotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
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.
Rules and RegulationScotland, Wales and Northern IrelandEV Charging
Winter Heating Payment payments begin from December 2025
Social Security Scotland is to begin making Winter Heating Payments of £59.75 for winter 2025/26 from December 2025, with most payments made automatically to eligible households in Scotland.
- November 2025
Consultation on alternative clean heating solutions to be launched
The government has expanded the Boiler Upgrade Scheme to cover air-to-air heat pumps and heat batteries, and will consult on alternative clean heating solutions including renewable liquid fuels.
ECIU analysis finds second-hand EVs save drivers around £1,450 a year despite planned 3p per mile tax
ECIU analysis of ten years of second-hand electric car ownership finds average annual savings of around £1,450 for the most-viewed used EVs on Autotrader, even after a planned 3p per mile tax.
ChargeUK publishes 2025 Budget analysis on EV and charging measures
ChargeUK has published its analysis of the 2025 Budget, setting out a tripled Electric Car Grant pot, ten years of business rates relief for charging bays and £200m of extra charging infrastructure funding.
NAPIT responds to Chancellor's Budget
NAPIT has criticised the Chancellor's Budget for mixed messages on electric vehicles and household bills, welcoming the electric car grant extension but noting a missed chance to cut the link between electricity and gas prices.
Autumn Budget announces ECO4 will end on 31 March 2026
The Autumn Budget confirmed that the Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) will close on 31 March 2026, while the Boiler Upgrade Scheme was left untouched despite speculation about cuts.
Chancellor delivers Autumn Budget 2025
The Chancellor's autumn budget of 26 November 2025 shifts £154 a year off average energy bills by funding the Renewables Obligation directly and closing the Energy Company Obligation in April 2026.
Chancellor delivers second UK Budget
The Chancellor's second Budget ends the Energy Company Obligation in April 2026, adds £1.5 billion to the Warm Homes Plan and shifts 75% of legacy Renewables Obligation costs off electricity bills.
Chancellor delivers second Budget with mixed picture for built environment
The Chancellor's 26 November Budget confirms the Energy Company Obligation will end in April 2026, adds £1.5 billion to the Warm Homes Plan and shifts 75% of legacy Renewables Obligation costs off electricity bills.
Dimplex launches updated heating calculator for homeowners
Dimplex has updated its free online heating calculator for homeowners and put a more detailed version behind its installer club membership.
Electric Car Grant extended to 2029-30
The autumn budget extended the Electric Car Grant to 2029-30 and added £1.3bn of funding, while confirming a pay-per-mile charge for electric vehicles from April 2028.
Government Budget introduces new taxes on electric cars
The 26 November 2025 Budget set a pence-per-mile charge on electric cars from April 2028 and extended funding for the Electric Car Grant, as new car registrations fell.
Government expands Boiler Upgrade Scheme to air-to-air heat pumps and heat batteries
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has extended the Boiler Upgrade Scheme to cover air-to-air heat pumps and heat batteries, with £2,500 grants for each in England and Wales.
SSEN launches Day-Ahead Markets for flexibility providers
Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks has launched Day-Ahead Markets on its ElectronConnect platform, letting flexibility providers commit to exporting power or cutting use at a day's notice.
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.
Grants and SchemesScotland, Wales and Northern IrelandEnergy Suppliers
ECIU comments on energy price cap change for January to March 2026
The Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit says the typical dual fuel bill will rise by around 30p under the January to March 2026 price cap, a fall of £37 in real terms.
Energy Systems Catapult publishes report on next generation of warm home schemes
Energy Systems Catapult has published a report calling for the next generation of warm home schemes to be consumer-centred, delivered through area-based partnerships and focused on health outcomes.
Ofgem decides to update price cap benchmark consumption to 2023 TDCVs
Ofgem has decided to update the price cap's benchmark consumption to the 2023 Typical Domestic Consumption Values from 1 January 2026, a change it says will raise the cap level by about £9 a year for a typical customer.