Rules and Regulation News
Are the rules on heat pumps, solar panels or insulation changing? Has the government confirmed new energy efficiency standards for rented homes, or changed what you can install without planning permission? Which consultations are open, and what do the latest building regulations mean for you?
Every rules and regulation story we have reported, newest first: planning, building standards, consultations and legal changes. Each one links to our guides on what it means for you.
- September 2026
Coalition sets out seven-point winter rescue plan for the Chancellor's Budget
The End Fuel Poverty Coalition has sent the Chancellor a seven-point Budget submission centred on writing off energy crisis arrears, as gas unit rates are forecast to double by January 2027.
More than 120 organisations call for levies to be moved off electricity bills
More than 120 organisations, coordinated by Energy UK and the Electricity Bills Taskforce, have written to the Chancellor urging that levies be moved off electricity bills and onto general taxation before the Autumn Budget.
Consumer Scotland publishes response to UK Government consultation on consumer protection for home upgrade schemes
Consumer Scotland has told a UK Government consultation it supports plans to reform consumer protection for home upgrade schemes, while seeking clarity on how a new service would work alongside Scottish programmes.
Public Accounts Committee report finds water, energy and broadband regulators fail to do enough for vulnerable people
The Public Accounts Committee has told Ofgem, Ofwat and Ofcom they are not doing enough for consumers who cannot afford their bills, and wants discounted tariffs made the default for the most financially vulnerable.
Consultation on reforming consumer protection for home upgrade schemes closes
The government consultation on reforming consumer protection for home upgrade schemes closed at 11:59pm on 10 September 2026, with feedback now being analysed.
Energy UK publishes response to DESNZ consultation on reforming consumer protection for home upgrade schemes
Energy UK has published its response to a government consultation on consumer protection for home upgrade schemes, backing installer accountability, a single certification body and a stronger Warm Homes Agency.
MCS sets out consumer protection under redeveloped installer Scheme
MCS has set out the consumer protections that will apply under its redeveloped installer Scheme, including in-house complaints handling, free binding dispute resolution and financial protection of at least six years.
FAQ page for Approved Document L 2026 edition published
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has published answers to common questions on the 2026 edition of Approved Document L, setting out how solar requirements apply to new homes in England.
UKAS approves MCS Installer scheme updates for air-to-air heat pumps
UKAS has approved updates to the redeveloped MCS Installer scheme to incorporate air-to-air heat pumps, allowing MCS to begin accrediting certification bodies for the technology.
Consultation launched on a proposed Welsh public energy company
The Welsh Government has opened a consultation on proposals for a single national public energy company owned by the people of Wales, running until 30 November 2026.
Voco Tech Solutions Ltd joins Energy Ombudsman scheme
Voco Tech Solutions Ltd has joined the Energy Ombudsman scheme, giving its customers in Great Britain access to independent dispute resolution from 2 September 2026.
MVP deployment planned for Autumn/Winter 2026
Ofgem has confirmed the Retail Energy Code Company as delivery body for the Consumer Consent Solution, with a minimum viable product planned for deployment in autumn or winter 2026.
Reformed EPC regulations to be brought into force in autumn 2026
Reformed Energy Performance Certificate regulations in Scotland are due to come into force in autumn 2026, introducing a new Heat Retention Rating on domestic certificates.
Scottish Government publishes Programme for Government 2026 to 2031 confirming heat in buildings legislation
The Scottish Government's Programme for Government 2026 to 2031 confirms a long-delayed heat in buildings bill, but makes no mention of fuel poverty in its plans.
- August 2026
Amendment Regulations come into force
Amendment regulations defining plug-in microgenerators and permitting approved plugs for them came into force on 27th August 2026, setting an 800 watt output ceiling for plug-in solar devices in the UK.
Amendments to Class A made by the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) (Amendment) Order 2026 (S.I. 2026/896) come into force
Amendments to Class A permitted development rights for solar equipment in England came into force on 27 August 2026, adding separate rules for dwellinghouses and a new restriction on plug-in solar fixed to timber.
Ofgem publishes updated energy price cap levels for 1 October to 31 December 2026
Ofgem has published the energy price cap for 1 October to 31 December 2026, with Direct Debit, Standard Credit and prepayment levels all rising 4% and Economy 7 up 1%.
Nesta heat planning tool to launch in February for local authorities
Nesta has said it will launch a heat planning tool in February, built with and for local authorities, alongside findings on air-to-air heat pumps in UK homes.
New permitted development rules for domestic solar come into force
Amended permitted development rights for domestic solar in England took effect on 27 August 2026, splitting rules for houses and blocks of flats and clarifying plug-in solar, with a 12-month transition to 27 August 2027.
Government publishes interim response to Gas System in Transition consultation
The Government has published its interim response to the Gas System in Transition consultation, accepting that gas will remain important for decades and that intervention may be needed as domestic production falls.
Guidance page revised on EPC changes
The Scottish Government has revised its EPC guidance and added a page setting out how Energy Performance Certificates change from 30 April 2028, with new ratings and a shorter validity period.
Scottish EPC reform delayed to 30 April 2028
Scottish ministers have pushed back the introduction of new-style Energy Performance Certificates, validity periods and rating systems to 30 April 2028, while lodgement fees still rise this October.
Ofgem observation window for October 2026 price cap closes
Ofgem's observation window for the October 2026 price cap closed on 19 August, with the cap to be announced by 26 August and suppliers predicting a rise of about 3.7%.
MCS reported investment in its Product Scheme
MCS has appointed Bhagya Fonseka as Product Scheme Manager and is investing further in its Scheme team, saying the move will strengthen its work with certification bodies and manufacturers.
MCS strengthens Product Scheme with new appointment
MCS has announced a new appointment to strengthen its Product Scheme, the certification route that underpins product quality for small-scale renewables in UK homes.
Affected product listings will expire
Solar mounting products that lost certification to the MCS 012 standard in May 2025 will have their listings expired in the MCS databases on 10 August 2026, after a final grace period extension.
Citizens Advice publishes overheating research and calls for Warm Homes Plan to cover cooling
Citizens Advice research finds 44% of UK adults feel they lack control over home overheating, and the charity wants the Warm Homes Plan to fund summer cooling as well as winter heating.
Four updated MCS product standards come into effect
Four updated MCS product standards take effect on 1 August 2026, with a six-month grace period for solar PV products whose certificates are withdrawn on the same date.
Government announces consultation on ZEV Mandate
The government has opened a consultation on the Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate, the rules governing the path to zero-emission driving by 2035, drawing a welcome from the motor industry body SMMT.
UK Government to consult on raising minimum rented EPC rating to C by 2030
The UK Government will consult on raising the minimum energy efficiency rating for privately rented homes in England and Wales to EPC C or its equivalent by 2030, up from the current minimum of E.