Powering Homes News: page 67
- October 2023
Lower standing charges for prepayment households begin
From 1 October 2023 prepayment meter households pay lower standing charges than those on other payment methods, a change described by the Welsh Government as a welcome first step.
Matthew Pratt appointed Co-Chair of Future Homes Standard Implementation Board
Matthew Pratt, chief executive of Redrow, has become co-chair of the Future Homes Standard Implementation Board, the body set up to steer delivery of the 2025 standard across the homebuilding sector.
MCS opened a consultation on changes to the MCS 020 Standard
MCS has opened a consultation on changes to the MCS 020 noise assessment standard, which permitted development rights for air source heat pumps reference, following a government-commissioned review of heat pump noise.
National Infrastructure Commission estimates gas network decommissioning cost
The National Infrastructure Commission estimated in October 2023 that decommissioning the gas networks would cost £25 billion, a figure cited by the Committee of Public Accounts in its May 2024 report on decarbonising home heating.
National Infrastructure Commission recommends against hydrogen for home heating
The National Infrastructure Commission advised the government in October 2023 not to support hydrogen for home heating, a position set out in a National Audit Office report on decarbonising home heating.
Non-MCS export application fee paid to Octopus
A Perth householder paid Octopus Energy £250 in October 2023 to have a non-MCS solar installation assessed for export payments, then waited six months for a reply.
Ofgem confirms new debt engagement and repayment plan requirements
Ofgem has confirmed new licence rules requiring energy suppliers to offer debt repayment plans at the earliest opportunity and to base them on what a household can actually afford to pay.
Rules and RegulationEnergy Bills and the Price CapEnergy Suppliers
Ofgem decides to proceed with SLC 31G.3A requiring a range of contact methods
Ofgem has confirmed new licence conditions requiring energy suppliers to offer a range of contact methods, support customers in payment difficulty and publish their customer service ratings.
Ofgem introduces licence changes to make it easier to contact energy suppliers
Ofgem changed energy supply licences in October 2023 to make suppliers easier to contact, and satisfaction with ease of contact later rose from 60% in 2023 to 76% in 2025.
Ofgem published a working paper on its benchmarking approach for the operating cost review
Ofgem has published a working paper on how it benchmarks suppliers' operating costs within the price cap, weighing a high efficiency expectation against maximising protection for customers.
Ofgem publishes update letter on wholesale review timings and adjustment framework
Ofgem has set out its minded-to position of making no adjustment to the energy price cap for wholesale costs incurred between October 2022 and September 2023, and is consulting on a framework for such decisions.
Ofgem re-publishes price cap levels for cap period 11a under new 2023 TDCV values
Ofgem has re-published the October to December 2023 price cap levels using new 2023 Typical Domestic Consumption Values, putting the dual fuel direct debit cap at £1,834.
PAS 2035 (2023) released with key changes
Elmhurst Energy has published key information and changes on the October 2023 release of PAS 2035 (2023), the standard that domestic retrofit projects must comply with in the UK.
Quarterly change to Flexi variable costs from 1 October 2023
ScottishPower has published the Flexi variable cost values that apply from 1 October 2023, showing quarterly changes to network, environmental and smart meter charges across its regional tables.
Revised EBIT allowance methodology takes effect in the price cap
Ofgem has revised the profit margin allowance in the energy price cap to a fixed and variable element, and reissued the October to December cap levels on new consumption figures.
Scottish Power granted 124 forced entry warrants by Berkshire Magistrates Court
Scottish Power obtained 124 forced entry warrants from Berkshire Magistrates Court to install prepayment meters, with campaigners saying only 20 were examined in detail and asking a Commons committee to take urgent evidence.
Second £300 cost of living payment made to means-tested benefit recipients
The second instalment of the government's £900 cost of living payment, worth £300, was paid to households on means-tested benefits during October and November 2023.
Second Warm This Winter Tariff Watch report published
The second Warm This Winter Tariff Watch report finds 337 fixed tariffs priced above the Ofgem price cap, an average exit fee of £138 and supplier operating costs of £242 per customer.
UKGBC adds Window Insulation coating to its solutions resource
The UK Green Building Council added an insulating window coating for retrofit to its solutions resource in October 2023, listing it as an energy-saving alternative to window replacement.
UNC mod 840 change reduces prepayment cap level
Ofgem's October price cap methodology change equalising Unidentified Gas allocation between prepayment and non-prepayment customers cuts the prepayment cap level by £51, part offset by a £9 bad debt allowance.
Voluntary code of conduct on forced PPM installations due to come into force
A voluntary code of conduct governing the forced installation of prepayment meters is due to come into force on 1 October 2023, with campaigners saying it does not go far enough.
Warm Homes Discount Scheme reopens
The Warm Home Discount reopens in October 2023, with eligibility checks available from that month and payments made automatically to eligible households.
Grants and SchemesHow ToScotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
Winter 2023 Voluntary Debt Commitment comes into force
Energy UK's Winter 2023 Voluntary Debt Commitment, agreed with Citizens Advice and Ofgem, took effect in October 2023 and runs to March 2024, with fourteen suppliers signed up to extra support for customers in payment difficulty.
- September 2023
British Gas reopens Energy Support Fund for new applications
British Gas has reopened its Energy Support Fund for new applications from 2 October 2023, offering grants of up to £1,500 within a £100 million support package.
Grants and SchemesEnergy Bills and the Price CapEnergy Suppliers
Coalition of over 130 organisations calls for an energy social tariff
More than 130 organisations have written to the Prime Minister calling for a social tariff, as the Energy Price Guarantee is set to end in 2024 and no consultation has been published.
ECIU analysis finds winter bills set to stay at £1,200 as support ends
ECIU analysis of Cornwall Insight's price cap forecast finds the average winter energy bill will stay at £1,200 as government support ends for most households.
Myson introduces Unisenza Plus wireless heating controls
Myson has published details of its Unisenza Plus wireless heating control range, a four-component system built around a gateway that the maker says can connect up to 100 devices.
E3G assesses UK government response to gas crisis
E3G analysis finds the UK has not enacted long-term measures to cut exposure to volatile gas markets, and sets out recommendations on a social tariff, retrofit and renewables.
Revised PAS 2030:2023 published
The revised PAS 2030 was published on 28 September 2023, opening an 18-month transition period that makes the 2023 edition mandatory for government-backed retrofit work from 31 March 2025.
Revised PAS 2035 and PAS 2030 standards published
Revised PAS 2035 and PAS 2030 retrofit standards were published on 28 September 2023, with an 18-month transition period before the 2023 editions come into full operation.