Powering Homes News: page 22
- October 2025
Carbon Budget and Growth Delivery Plan published
The government published its Carbon Budget and Growth Delivery Plan in October 2025, setting out policies to meet emissions targets up to Carbon Budget 6, with a heat and buildings factsheet following in June 2026.
CSE launches Energy Choices Tool
The Centre for Sustainable Energy has launched the Energy Choices Tool, a website giving independent advice on smart energy options tailored to individual circumstances, funded by two electricity distribution networks.
DESNZ publishes government response to HEM consultation
DESNZ has published its response to the Home Energy Model consultation, confirming the replacement for SAP will be a new model run centrally, with updated product, heat pump and battery calculations.
Energy Saving Trust responds to Treasury consultation on VAT relief for energy saving materials
The Energy Saving Trust has told the Treasury that battery storage retrofitted to existing solar should be zero-rated for VAT, and that the relief should extend to EV chargepoints, thermal storage, water source heat pumps and smart heating controls.
Flexi 2025 variable cost breakdown updated for the quarter from 1 October 2025
ScottishPower has updated the quarterly breakdown of variable costs inside its Flexi 2025 tariff from 1 October 2025, with Balancing Services Use of System rising on the single rate electricity table.
Future Homes Standard publication was planned
The Government said it would publish the Future Homes Standard in the autumn, setting energy efficiency and carbon rules for new homes in England.
Great British Insulation Scheme closed to new applicants
The Great British Insulation Scheme, which offered free or discounted insulation to households, closed to new applicants in October 2025, according to the Energy Saving Trust.
Guide updated for Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024
Trading standards guidance for England, Scotland and Wales has been updated to reflect the coming into force of unfair trading provisions in the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024.
MCS responds to DESNZ consultation on extending ECO4
MCS has published its response to the government consultation on extending ECO4, backing a nine-month extension with stronger consumer protections, as Consumer Scotland also files its own supportive response.
MHHS migration scheduled to begin
Market-wide Half Hourly Settlement is scheduled to begin migration in October, in the final year of a framework requiring minimum smart meter coverage of 74.5% of homes and 68.7% of businesses by the end of 2025.
Most Child Winter Heating Payments made automatically from early October 2025
Most Child Winter Heating Payments in Scotland are being made automatically from early October 2025, with the one-off payment set at £255.80 for winter 2025/26.
NAO report uncovers serious failings in ECO and GBIS
The National Audit Office found serious failings in home insulation funded by the Energy Company Obligation and the Great British Insulation Scheme, with external wall insulation the worst affected.
National Audit Office releases report on energy efficiency installations under the Energy Company Obligation
The National Audit Office has published a report on failures with solid wall insulation installed under the Energy Company Obligation, drawing a call from the Energy Saving Trust for stronger consumer protection.
Grants and SchemesInsulation and GlazingRules and Regulation
Ofgem price cap for October to December 2025 set at £1,755 GB average on new TDCVs
Ofgem's price cap for 1 October to 31 December 2025 stands at £1,755 a year for a typical dual fuel household on direct debit, with electricity unit rates up and gas unit rates down.
Energy Bills and the Price CapStatisticsRules and Regulation
Ofgem publishes draft Impact Assessment for Consumer Consent Solution
Ofgem has published a draft impact assessment for a digital Consumer Consent Solution, to be delivered by RECCo, with the consultation closing on 13 November 2025.
Ovo Energy Extra Support Package opens
Ovo Energy's £56m Extra Support Package opened on 1 October 2025, offering eligible customers emergency top-up, payment reductions, extended repayment plans and free energy-saving products.
Price cap operating cost allowance in place until October 2025
Ofgem has set new operating cost and debt allowances for the energy price cap, cutting the average customer bill by £8, with the allowances in place until October 2025.
Scottish Government adjusts Heat Retention Rating bandings ahead of new EPC regulations
The Scottish Government has adjusted the Heat Retention Rating bandings and redesigned the Heating System Rating on reformed EPCs, ahead of new regulations to be laid in Parliament on 10 October 2025.
Sixth carbon budget delivery plan published after High Court challenges
The government published its sixth carbon budget delivery plan in October 2025 after successful legal challenges by Friends of the Earth and ClientEarth, setting out how the UK intends to meet its emissions limits.
Solis lists S6-GR1P(8-10)K03-NV-ND grid-tied inverter
Solis has added the S6-GR1P(8-10)K03-NV-ND, a single phase grid-tied inverter with Bluetooth app operation and a three MPPT design, to its inverter catalogue.
SSEN issues Yellow Alert for north of Scotland ahead of Storm Amy
SSEN moved to Yellow Alert across the north of Scotland on 1 October 2025 and stood up hundreds of extra staff ahead of Storm Amy, warning that network disruption is expected.
Three principles for consumer protection reform set out
The Government has set out three principles for reforming consumer protection in home energy upgrades, alongside a new consultation and expanded repair cover for faulty ECO4 and GBIS insulation.
Warm Home Discount letters to be posted between October and December 2025
Energy UK has told households that eligible people will receive a physical letter between October and December 2025 confirming a £150 Warm Home Discount, and warned against scam texts and emails.
Warm Homes Plan full details expected from DESNZ
The full Warm Homes Plan is not expected from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero until October 2025, with £13.2 billion committed across this parliament.
Warranty period for products purchased from 1 October 2025 set at 5 years
Wallbox has set the standard warranty on its Pulsar Max home EV charger at five years for units bought from 1 October 2025, up from three years for earlier purchases.
- September 2025
Citizens Advice responds to Ofgem's price cap benchmark consumption review consultation
Citizens Advice has agreed with Ofgem's minded-to proposal on reviewing the benchmark consumption values behind the energy price cap, while calling for clarity on how headroom allowances are assessed.
Rules and RegulationEnergy Bills and the Price CapEnergy Suppliers
Energy Saving Trust publishes response to Ofgem standing charges consultation
The Energy Saving Trust has answered Ofgem's consultation on prepayment meter standing charges and other debt costs, calling for a social tariff and fairer regional charges.
Warm Home Discount scheme for winter 2025 to 2026 opens
The Warm Home Discount for winter 2025 to 2026 opens in October 2025, with eligibility criteria for England and Wales published by the government on 30 September 2025.
Viessmann introduces 10-year warranty on Vitodens 200-W boilers for 2025 heating season
Viessmann Climate Solutions UK has raised the standard warranty on its Vitodens 200-W boiler from seven years to ten for units registered between 1 September and 31 December 2025.
Energy debt and arrears climbs to £4.43 billion in Q2 2025
Ofgem figures show household energy debt and arrears reached £4.43 billion in the second quarter of 2025, up nearly £300 million on the previous quarter and £0.74 billion on a year earlier.