Rules and Regulation News: page 11
- October 2025
Committee publishes Tackling the energy cost crisis report
The Energy Security and Net Zero Committee has published a report recommending reform of the Warm Home Discount, a social tariff, an Energy Debt Relief Scheme and wider Energy Ombudsman powers.
Government publishes Carbon Budget and Growth Delivery Plan
The Government published its Carbon Budget and Growth Delivery Plan on 29 October 2025, setting out how the UK will meet its legally binding climate targets, with the Climate Change Committee to assess it fully in June 2026.
Awaab's Law comes into force
Awaab's Law came into force on 27 October 2025, requiring social landlords in England to investigate damp and mould reports within 10 working days and make homes safe.
Energy Saving Trust publishes response to Scottish Government permitted development rights consultation
The Energy Saving Trust has told the Scottish Government that permitted development rights for domestic heat pumps should require MCS 020 compliance, allow two units on detached houses and cover heat network connections.
Which? publishes policy paper on financing for low carbon home heating
Which? has published a policy paper setting out eight tests for heat pump financing, with recommendations to government and business on consumer protection in a developing market.
Consultation on fairer, faster energy redress opens
The government has opened a consultation on strengthening the Energy Ombudsman, proposing faster complaint handling, automatic referrals and a power to order compensation when rulings are not implemented.
Citizens Advice publishes paper calling for overhaul of retrofit consumer protections
Citizens Advice has published a paper calling for an overhaul of consumer protections in the retrofit market, proposing independent advice, a single quality scheme and regulated redress.
Consumer Scotland responds to Ofgem standing charge consultation
Consumer Scotland has told Ofgem that a radical rethink of the standing charge should not be a priority now, backing pilots and better signposting over a mandate for lower or zero standing charge tariffs.
Consumer Scotland responds to Ofgem smart meter GSOP consultation
Consumer Scotland has told Ofgem it broadly backs proposed guaranteed standards of performance for smart meters, while pressing for shorter timeframes and clearer appointment rules.
Final Government Response on EPC reform published
The Scottish Government has published its final response to three rounds of consultation on Energy Performance Certificate reform, confirming new regulations laid in October 2025 and a revised in-force date of 30 April 2028.
Which? responds to Scottish Government update on reforming Energy Performance Certificates
Which? has welcomed Scottish Government plans to reform Energy Performance Certificates, saying its research shows the certificates are too often inaccurate, out of date or difficult to understand.
Ofgem opens call for input on reselling gas and electricity and the Maximum Resale Price direction
Ofgem has opened a call for input on the rules covering the reselling of gas and electricity, asking whether the Maximum Resale Price still protects consumers and supports investment.
Energy Saving Trust publishes response to permitted development rights consultation
The Energy Saving Trust has published its response to a government consultation on permitted development rights, backing looser rules for electric vehicle chargepoints and air source heat pumps in England.
National Insulation Association publishes response to ECO4 extension consultation
The National Insulation Association has told a government consultation that an ECO4 extension should only proceed with a matching rise in supplier targets, and that the Great British Insulation Scheme should end as planned.
Energy Saving Trust publishes response to fuel poverty strategy review
The Energy Saving Trust has told the government that fuel poor homes should get grants covering the full cost of retrofit and that England needs a national expert energy advice service.
Energy Saving Trust responds to EPC reform consultation
Energy Saving Trust has told DESNZ it backs a cost per square metre metric, a carbon-based heating metric and smart readiness on EPCs, while opposing energy use and separate carbon metrics.
Energy Saving Trust publishes response to Energy Efficient Scotland owner-occupied homes consultation
The Energy Saving Trust has published its response supporting a Scottish Government proposal for a legally binding energy efficiency standard covering owner-occupied homes in Scotland.
Awaab's Law comes into effect for social landlords
Awaab's Law came into force in October 2025, requiring social landlords to investigate and resolve damp and mould in homes within set time periods.
Carbon Budget and Growth Delivery Plan published
The government published its Carbon Budget and Growth Delivery Plan in October 2025, setting out policies to meet emissions targets up to Carbon Budget 6, with a heat and buildings factsheet following in June 2026.
DESNZ publishes government response to HEM consultation
DESNZ has published its response to the Home Energy Model consultation, confirming the replacement for SAP will be a new model run centrally, with updated product, heat pump and battery calculations.
Energy Saving Trust responds to Treasury consultation on VAT relief for energy saving materials
The Energy Saving Trust has told the Treasury that battery storage retrofitted to existing solar should be zero-rated for VAT, and that the relief should extend to EV chargepoints, thermal storage, water source heat pumps and smart heating controls.
Future Homes Standard publication was planned
The Government said it would publish the Future Homes Standard in the autumn, setting energy efficiency and carbon rules for new homes in England.
Guide updated for Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024
Trading standards guidance for England, Scotland and Wales has been updated to reflect the coming into force of unfair trading provisions in the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024.
MCS responds to DESNZ consultation on extending ECO4
MCS has published its response to the government consultation on extending ECO4, backing a nine-month extension with stronger consumer protections, as Consumer Scotland also files its own supportive response.
MHHS migration scheduled to begin
Market-wide Half Hourly Settlement is scheduled to begin migration in October, in the final year of a framework requiring minimum smart meter coverage of 74.5% of homes and 68.7% of businesses by the end of 2025.
National Audit Office releases report on energy efficiency installations under the Energy Company Obligation
The National Audit Office has published a report on failures with solid wall insulation installed under the Energy Company Obligation, drawing a call from the Energy Saving Trust for stronger consumer protection.
Ofgem price cap for October to December 2025 set at £1,755 GB average on new TDCVs
Ofgem's price cap for 1 October to 31 December 2025 stands at £1,755 a year for a typical dual fuel household on direct debit, with electricity unit rates up and gas unit rates down.
Ofgem publishes draft Impact Assessment for Consumer Consent Solution
Ofgem has published a draft impact assessment for a digital Consumer Consent Solution, to be delivered by RECCo, with the consultation closing on 13 November 2025.
Scottish Government adjusts Heat Retention Rating bandings ahead of new EPC regulations
The Scottish Government has adjusted the Heat Retention Rating bandings and redesigned the Heating System Rating on reformed EPCs, ahead of new regulations to be laid in Parliament on 10 October 2025.
Sixth carbon budget delivery plan published after High Court challenges
The government published its sixth carbon budget delivery plan in October 2025 after successful legal challenges by Friends of the Earth and ClientEarth, setting out how the UK intends to meet its emissions limits.