Powering Homes news, page 35
- April 2025
Mayor signs decision approving £53,470,024 Warm Homes Local Grant funding
The Mayor of London has approved the receipt and spending of £53,470,024 of Warm Homes Local Grant funding from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero for delivery in London between 2025 and 2028.
Bristol City Council and Bristol City Leap publish Warm Homes Plan
Bristol City Council and Bristol City Leap have published a joint five-year action plan for decarbonising the city's homes, setting out their roles across social housing, private housing, new build, heat networks, skills and citizen involvement.
Clean Power Action Plan updated with 2030 clean power ambition
The Clean Power Action Plan, updated in April 2025, sets out the government's ambition to reach a clean power system by 2030, according to a House of Commons Library briefing on the future of the gas grid.
Consumer debt and arrears reached a record high of £3.85 billion
Ofgem's state of the energy market report records consumer debt and arrears at a record £3.85 billion in quarter 4 2024, alongside a price cap rise to £1,849 from April 2025.
DESNZ consulted on proposed changes to the BUS
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero consulted in April 2025 on proposed changes to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, with a formal decision expected later in the year.
Employer National Insurance Contributions increase took effect
The employer National Insurance Contributions increase that Ofgem allowed suppliers to recover through the energy price cap took effect in April 2025, as part of a wider review of operating cost allowances.
EPC band F homes could face bills around £700 higher than band C from April
Analysis by the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit finds EPC band F homes could face average annual dual fuel bills of around £2,340 from April, roughly £700 more than band C.
Government launches consultation on expanding the Boiler Upgrade Scheme
The government has opened a consultation on widening the Boiler Upgrade Scheme to cover air-to-air heat pumps and heat batteries, and to allow third-party ownership finance alongside grants.
Government published its Energy Smart Appliance consultation response
The government has accepted all 14 recommendations of the National Infrastructure Commission's study on electricity distribution networks, published in April 2025, covering flexibility, reliability, planning and price controls.
Gwresogi achieves MCS certification for solar PV, heat pumps and battery storage
Gwresogi, a Gwynedd installer founded in 2014, gained MCS certification in April 2025 covering solar PV, air source heat pumps and battery storage, according to an MCS case study.
MCS launches four-week consultation on financial protection requirements
MCS opened a four-week consultation in April 2025 on proposed financial protection requirements for its redeveloped scheme, drawing over 30 responses including from the CMA and DESNZ.
NIE Networks launches Big Network Rebuild investment programme
NIE Networks has begun a six-year, c.£250m programme to rebuild and future-proof Northern Ireland's electricity distribution network, covering about 14,000km of lines and equipment.
Where Our Energy Comes FromScotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
Ofgem publishes refreshed Consumer Vulnerability Strategy
Ofgem has published a refreshed Consumer Vulnerability Strategy setting out four themes and a cross-cutting theme for protecting consumers in vulnerable situations, with a first progress report following in July 2026.
UK public EV charger count passes 76,000
A consumer guide states the UK had over 76,000 public EV chargers as of April 2025, far more than the 8,353 petrol stations it says remain in operation.
Rebel Energy exits the domestic supply market
Rebel Energy ceased trading on 1 April 2025, leaving around 90,000 domestic customers to be transferred to a new supplier under Ofgem's safety net arrangements.
Restriction on re-letting below EPC band D begins
Social landlords in Scotland should not re-let social housing below EPC band D from December 2025, under guidance supporting the Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing post 2020.
Rules and RegulationYour Type of HomeScotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
Scottish Government announces PoP requirement likely dropped from Heat in Buildings Bill
The Scottish Government has said the point of purchase clean heating requirement is likely to be dropped from the Heat in Buildings Bill due in the Scottish Parliament later in 2025.
Rules and RegulationHeat PumpsScotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
Smart time of use tariff adoption increased by over 75% in the last year
Ofgem reports that smart time of use tariff adoption rose by more than 75% in the last year, driven by rising electric vehicle ownership and demand for cheaper, more flexible energy options.
Standing charges change from 1 April with regional variation remaining
Ofgem's April price cap rise of 6.4% takes effect on 1 April 2025, with standing charges falling for most households but rising by up to £20 a year in some regions.
Study finds UK homes overheating has soared from 18% to 80%
A study published in April 2025 found the proportion of UK homes experiencing overheating rose from 18% in 2011 to 80%, with 4.5 million adults made unwell by heat at home.
Third version of DNOA suite of documents published
UK Power Networks has published the third version of its Distribution Network Options Assessment documents, setting out how it recommends and approves investment in its electricity network.
Updated warranty applies to units purchased after 1st April 2025
Simpson & Partners has published updated warranty terms applying to electric vehicle chargers bought after 1st April 2025, with cover split between the enclosure and the power electronics.
VED Expensive Car Supplement becomes applicable to many new EVs
Vehicle Excise Duty changes from 1 April 2025 brought the Expensive Car Supplement into scope for many new electric cars, and the SMMT links the change to a fall in April registrations.
Warm Homes: Local Grant date noted
Government guidance confirms the Warm Homes: Local Grant delivery window opened on 1 April 2025, with £500 million allocated to local authorities in England to fund energy efficiency measures and low carbon heating.
Warranty extension purchases require online registration
SolarEdge has said that from 1 April 2025 customers extending an inverter warranty must first register for its online services and obtain a customer number.
- March 2025
Boiler Upgrade Scheme scheduled to close
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme reaches its scheduled end on 31 March 2025, closing a three-year, £450m grant programme that paid up to £6,000 towards low carbon heating in England and Wales.
Citizens Advice publishes three reports on designing targeted social tariffs with automation in mind
Citizens Advice, IPPR and Policy in Practice have published three reports on how social tariffs for energy, water, broadband and car insurance could be designed and delivered automatically to eligible households.
Deadline for claiming Winter Fuel Payment not paid automatically
The Department for Work and Pensions says eligible pensioners whose Winter Fuel Payment does not arrive automatically must claim it by 31 March 2025, after a winter of backdated claims.
Ofgem energy price cap rises 6.4% and Clean Heat Market Mechanism launches
Ofgem's energy price cap rose 6.4% on 31 March 2025, the same day the Government's Clean Heat Market Mechanism began requiring large boiler manufacturers to sell a share of heat pumps.
Energy Bills and the Price CapRules and RegulationBoilers and Heating
Price cap for average dual fuel Direct Debit households increased to £1,849
Ofgem's price cap for average dual fuel Direct Debit households rose 6.4 per cent to £1,849 a year on 1 April 2025, a third consecutive increase driven by higher wholesale costs.
Energy Bills and the Price CapStatisticsRules and Regulation