Powering Homes news, page 69
- October 2023
New phase of Warmer Homes Scotland launched
The Scottish Government launched a new phase of Warmer Homes Scotland on 2 October 2023, shifting the national fuel poverty scheme towards clean heating where it is financially and technically feasible.
Successor Warmer Homes Scotland programme launched under the same name
The successor to Warmer Homes Scotland launched on 2 October 2023 under the same name, with a maximum contract value of up to £728 million over up to seven years and higher grant limits per household.
Over 140 organisations write to Government urging tariff reform consultation
More than 140 organisations have written to the Government urging it not to abandon plans to consult on reform of energy tariffs, after ministers appeared to rule out a social tariff consultation.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme extended until 2028
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme has been extended by three years to 2028 and its heat pump grants raised to £7,500, the government announced on 23 October 2023.
CMA opened an investigation into Worcester Bosch boiler marketing
The Competition and Markets Authority opened an investigation in October 2023 into Worcester Bosch's marketing of boilers as hydrogen-blend ready, and the firm has agreed to change its claims.
Daikin opens four new Sustainable Home Network centres
Daikin UK has opened four new Sustainable Home Network centres in Northampton, Aberdeen, Port Talbot and Surrey, taking the walk-in network for homeowners and installers to 35 sites.
New DFS for winter 2023-24 launched incorporating research recommendations
A new Demand Flexibility Service for winter 2023-24 has been launched, with National Grid ESO issuing recommendations to providers after research into last winter's scheme found most participants were satisfied.
Ecodan R290 heat pump launched
Mitsubishi Electric has said it will phase out its Ecodan R32 heat pumps and replace them with an extended Ecodan R290 range, after launching the R290 model in October 2023.
End Fuel Poverty Coalition asks Energy Security Committee for urgent evidence session on forced PPMs
The End Fuel Poverty Coalition has written to the Commons Energy Security Committee asking it to take evidence within 28 days on 124 forced prepayment meter warrants granted to Scottish Power by Berkshire Magistrates Court.
Energy Act 2023 passed by UK Parliament
The Energy Act 2023, passed by the UK Parliament in October 2023, underpins new consumer protections and technical standards for heat networks across Great Britain.
Energy debt question first asked in tracker at 8%
Consumer Scotland's energy tracker shows the share of Scottish households in energy debt rose from 8% in October 2023 to 19% in winter 2026, with total GB debt and arrears reaching £4.55bn.
Energy Bills and the Price CapStatisticsScotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
Energy price cap reduced in October 2023
The energy price cap fell on 1 October 2023, cutting the maximum unit rate suppliers can charge on standard variable tariffs, before Ofgem confirmed a 5% rise for the following quarter.
Energy Bills and the Price CapStatisticsRules and Regulation
Environment Agency permit rules apply to new ground source heat pumps from 1 October 2023
Ground source heat pump installations completed after 1 October 2023 may require an Environment Agency permit, according to updated Planning Portal guidance for England.
flexi-2023 cost components change at 1 October 2023
ScottishPower has published revised third party cost components for its flexi-2023 variable tariff, showing the values applied to unit rates and standing charges from 1 October 2023.
Good Energy launches Solar Savings smart export tariff
Good Energy has launched Solar Savings, a smart export tariff paying 15p per kWh and 20p per kWh for Wessex ECOEnergy solar customers, up from a 10p pilot rate.
Government confirms heat pumps and heat networks as primary low-carbon heating technology
The government confirmed in October 2023 that heat pumps and heat networks will be the primary low-carbon technologies for home heating over the next decade, with a key role in all pathways to 2050.
Great British Insulation Scheme launched
The UK Government expanded the ECO scheme to include the Great British Insulation Scheme in October 2023, with 2,723 Scottish households recorded as having benefited by February 2025.
Heat and Buildings Strategy sets plan to end new fossil fuel boiler installations by 2035
Hydrogen UK has told the Public Accounts Committee that the October 2021 Heat and Buildings Strategy plans to end new fossil fuel boiler installations by 2035, while warning that hydrogen heating trials have slipped.
IGEM reports homeowner uncertainty over boiler phase-out plans
IGEM has published survey findings showing 48 per cent of UK homeowners are unsure how the boiler ban will affect their properties and 65 per cent doubt government transition schemes.
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.