Rules and Regulation News: page 10
- November 2025
Engagement condition changed to require positive customer action
Ofgem has changed the engagement condition in its proposed Debt Relief Scheme so that customers must take positive action, such as making a payment, rather than suppliers merely discussing options with them.
Ofgem publishes Debt Relief Scheme Impact Assessment
Ofgem has published an impact assessment for its proposed Debt Relief Scheme, estimating Phase 1 would write off between £312.4 million and £472.9 million of eligible debt across 280,000 to 400,000 accounts.
Ofgem publishes detailed proposals for the Debt Relief Scheme
Ofgem has set out detailed proposals for a one-time Debt Relief Scheme to write off energy debt built up during the crisis, with phase one expected to support up to 200,000 households.
Ofgem publishes regulatory expectations for suppliers on Additional Support Credit
Ofgem has published regulatory expectations telling suppliers how they should assess and provide Additional Support Credit to vulnerable prepayment customers who have self-disconnected or are at risk of doing so.
Scottish Government publishes Climate Change Plan 2026-2040
The Scottish Government published its draft Climate Change Plan for 2026 to 2040 on 6 November 2025, setting out policies and proposals intended to meet Scotland's first three carbon budgets.
SMMT publishes statement opposing pay-per-mile electric vehicle tax
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders has said a proposed pay-per-mile tax on electric vehicles would be a strategic mistake at a pivotal moment for the UK's EV transition.
Tomato Energy ceases trading and British Gas appointed by Ofgem to take on its customers
Tomato Energy ceased trading on 5 November 2025 and British Gas has been appointed by Ofgem to take on its customers under the Supplier of Last Resort process.
Consumer Scotland publishes response to Ofgem consultation on lower standing charge tariffs
Consumer Scotland has published its response to Ofgem's consultation on requiring suppliers to offer at least one lower standing charge tariff, backing a temporary approach and warning of cost redistribution.
Citizens Advice publishes report on warmer homes for private renters in Wales
Citizens Advice has published a report calling on the UK Government to raise minimum energy efficiency standards for private rented homes and on the Welsh Government to expand the Nest scheme.
Citizens Advice responds to Ofgem heat networks consumer protection guidance consultation
Citizens Advice has welcomed Ofgem's consumer protection guidance for heat networks but asked the regulator to clarify billing, back-billing, contract updates and vulnerable customer protections before rules start in January 2026.
RECCo submits response to Ofgem debt-related cost allowance consultation
The Retail Energy Code Company has told Ofgem that an extra allowance for debt-related costs inside the default tariff cap would raise bills for customers who pay on time.
Autumn Budget confirms end of green levy and ECO4 funding
The 2025 Autumn Budget confirmed the end of the green levy and with it ECO4 funding, closing council-run ECO4 Flex schemes and stopping new applications.
Budget 2025 announces end of ECO funding in March 2026
The government announced at Budget 2025 that funding for the Energy Company Obligation would end in March 2026, with ECO measures continuing until the end of 2026.
Budget 2025 delivered by Chancellor Rachel Reeves
The 2025 Budget phases out the Energy Company Obligation by 31 March 2026, cuts household energy bills by an average of £150, and adds £1.5 billion to the Warm Homes Plan.
Budget changes remove levies from electricity bills
Budget changes remove some levies from electricity bills, cutting the running cost of clean electric technologies, according to analysis of the Warm Homes Plan published by the charity Nesta.
Demand Flexibility Service became a year-round tool
The Demand Flexibility Service has moved from a winter-only emergency measure to a year-round tool used in the normal operation of the electricity market, according to the government's 2025 security of supply report.
Draft Buildings (Heating and Energy Performance) and Heat Networks (Scotland) Bill published
The Scottish Government has published a draft Bill that would create an opt in licensing regime for heat network developers and require some buildings in designated zones to adopt decarbonised heat.
Draft Energy Performance of Buildings (Scotland) Regulations 2025 laid
Draft Energy Performance of Buildings (Scotland) Regulations 2025 were laid before the Scottish Parliament in autumn 2025, as part of a wider draft Bill setting a 2045 heat decarbonisation target.
Gas system security of supply consultation published
The government has opened a consultation on Britain's long-term gas supply, setting out proposed policy actions to keep the system secure as the country moves away from fossil fuels.
Government consultation response sets out BUS changes
Ofgem's annual report on the Boiler Upgrade Scheme confirms the April 2026 rule changes that followed the government's November 2025 consultation response, alongside £560.3 million paid since launch.
Government consulted on further changes to PDRs for EV charging infrastructure
The government consulted in November 2025 on further permitted development rights changes for EV charging infrastructure, covering cross-pavement charging and larger commercial installations.
Ofgem announces consultation on home-move debt processes
Ofgem has set out plans to consult later this year on trialling new home-move processes that would require customers to contact their supplier to set up an account early.
Ofgem published a call for input on proposed Consumer Outcomes
Ofgem has opened a call for input on proposed Consumer Outcomes for the energy industry, published alongside survey findings showing household satisfaction with suppliers at a record high.
Proposed Heat in Buildings Bill paused
The Scottish Government has paused its proposed Heat in Buildings Bill, citing delay to the UK Government's Warm Homes Plan and limited time left in the parliamentary session.
Social rented sector regulations came into force
Electrical safety rules for social housing landlords in England came into force on 1 November 2025, extending duties already applied to private rented homes.
StepChange responds to DESNZ consultation on continuing the Warm Home Discount scheme
StepChange has welcomed government plans to extend the Warm Home Discount for five more winters from 2026/27, while warning that the payment has barely risen since 2011 and calling for a national energy debt relief scheme.
- October 2025
Government confirms MCS as sole certification scheme for clean heat measures under five schemes
DESNZ has confirmed it plans to mandate MCS as the sole certification scheme for clean heat measures across five government schemes, with MCS installers moving to a redeveloped scheme during 2026.
Government response to Part 2 of the consultation published
The government has confirmed that MCS will become the sole certification scheme for clean heat installations under four grant schemes, publishing its response to Part 2 of a consultation on 31 October 2025.
Ofgem publishes draft impact assessment for Consumer Consent Solution
Ofgem has published a final impact assessment for the Consumer Consent Solution, confirming RECCo as delivery body and setting out costs, benefits and a 2028 review.
Committee publishes Tackling the energy cost crisis report
The Energy Security and Net Zero Committee published its report Tackling the energy cost crisis on 29 October 2025, and Ofgem has now responded to its recommendations on debt and the price cap.