Rules and Regulation news, page 13
- September 2025
Citizens Advice responds to Ofgem's price cap benchmark consumption review consultation
Citizens Advice has agreed with Ofgem's minded-to proposal on reviewing the benchmark consumption values behind the energy price cap, while calling for clarity on how headroom allowances are assessed.
Energy Saving Trust publishes response to Ofgem standing charges consultation
The Energy Saving Trust has answered Ofgem's consultation on prepayment meter standing charges and other debt costs, calling for a social tariff and fairer regional charges.
Citizens Advice responds to consultation on extending ECO4 end date
Citizens Advice has backed a government proposal to extend the ECO4 grant scheme past March 2026, warning that a shorter timeframe would leave households facing a cliff edge.
Consultation on extending the ECO4 end date closes
The government consultation on extending the ECO4 end date beyond 31 March 2026 closed on 25 September 2025, with the insulation industry opposing an extension that does not raise supplier targets.
DESNZ consults on continuing the WHD to 2031
DESNZ has opened a consultation on extending the Warm Home Discount for a further five years, from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2031, keeping the rebate scheme running beyond its current period.
Ofgem publishes response to DESNZ consultation on extending ECO4 end date
Ofgem has published its response to the price cap aspects of the government's consultation on extending the ECO4 energy efficiency scheme beyond its current end date.
Updated MCS 020 compliance becomes mandatory for relevant PDR installations
Compliance with the updated MCS 020 sound standard became mandatory on 20 September 2025 for air source heat pumps installed under Permitted Development in England, following changes to size, siting and unit limits.
Citizens Advice responds to Ofgem statutory consultation on smart Guaranteed Standards of Performance
Citizens Advice has backed Ofgem's plan to create new Guaranteed Standards of Performance for smart meters, saying the rules should make suppliers deliver the promised benefits of the devices.
Ofgem statutory consultation on Guaranteed Standards of Performance closes
Ofgem's statutory consultation on smart metering Guaranteed Standards of Performance closed on 12 September 2025, part of a wider government framework for the smart meter rollout after 2025.
Consultation on a Reformed Decent Homes Standard closed
The consultation on a Reformed Decent Homes Standard for social and privately rented homes closed on 10 September 2025, with CIBSE submitting a response that backs the direction but questions key metrics.
Energy Saving Trust publishes consultation response on social rented sector energy efficiency standards
The Energy Saving Trust has published its response to the UK Government consultation on minimum energy efficiency standards for socially rented homes in England, backing EPC C by 2030 but seeking changes to exemptions and cost caps.
Citizens Advice responds to Ofgem's technical working paper on the Debt Relief Scheme
Citizens Advice has responded to Ofgem's technical working paper on the proposed Debt Relief Scheme, backing its aims and phased rollout but seeking clarity on eligibility and faster consultation on phase two.
Grand Committee considers Warm Home Discount (Amendment) Regulations 2025
The Lords Grand Committee has agreed regulations expanding the Warm Home Discount, removing the high cost to heat threshold so that around 2.7 million more households qualify for the £150 rebate this winter.
Scottish Government opens consultation on permitted development rights to support new homes
The Scottish Government consulted on changing permitted development rights for rural homes, town centre living, heat networks and domestic air source heat pumps, then decided against making changes.
Consumer Scotland responds to Ofgem's Debt Relief Scheme policy update working paper
Consumer Scotland has told Ofgem it broadly supports the proposed eligibility criteria for the Energy Debt Relief Scheme, while urging changes on smart meters, warm referrals and supplier reimbursement.
DESNZ launches consultation on regulating TPIs in the retail energy market
The government has opened a consultation on regulating third-party intermediaries in the retail energy market, building on a 2021 call for evidence, while the Retail Energy Code Company presses ahead with its own broker accreditation scheme.
DESNZ publishes consultation on continuing the Warm Home Discount Scheme
DESNZ has consulted on continuing the Warm Home Discount beyond 31 March 2026, setting out three options for Scotland for the 2026/27 scheme period.
New EPC regulations due to be laid in Scottish Parliament
Scottish ministers have confirmed that reformed EPC regulations introducing the new HRR rating are due to be laid in the Scottish Parliament in September 2025, ahead of coming into force in autumn 2026.
Ofgem announced plans to require suppliers to offer at least one lower standing charge tariff
Ofgem has opened a one-month consultation on requiring suppliers to offer at least one lower standing charge tariff to all payment types and meter customers in every region.
WHD expansion changes come into force
Changes to the Warm Home Discount that remove the high-cost-to-heat threshold for one eligibility group and raise spending targets took effect in September 2025, Ofgem's scheme year 14 report confirms.
Which? publishes policy report on financing low carbon home heating
Which? has published a policy report setting out eight tests for heat pump financing and calling for mandatory installer certification and restrictions on some long-term heating contracts.
- August 2025
Consultation on draft PRS energy efficiency regulations closes
The Scottish Government's consultation on draft energy efficiency regulations for privately rented homes closed on 29 August 2025, with responses submitted through Citizen Space, email or letter.
Consultation on extending the ECO4 end date opens
The government has opened a consultation on extending the ECO4 energy efficiency scheme beyond its 31 March 2026 end date, proposing an extension of between six and nine months.
Consultation on private rented sector energy efficiency standards closes
The Scottish Government consultation on draft minimum energy efficiency standards for privately rented homes closed on 29 August 2025, with responses from Home Energy Scotland, the National Insulation Association and the Energy Saving Trust.
PRS Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards consultation closes
The Scottish Government's consultation on a Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard for privately rented homes closed on 29 August 2025, with regulations planned for October 2026.
Trust publishes response to Ofgem Debt Relief Scheme working paper consultation
The British Gas Energy Trust has backed a targeted one-off energy debt relief scheme with compulsory money advice and a cap set at the statutory consultation date, in its response to Ofgem's working paper.
Ofgem announces 2% energy price cap rise for October to December 2025
Ofgem has raised the energy price cap by 2% for October to December 2025, taking a typical dual fuel Direct Debit bill to £1,755 a year, an increase of £35.14.
Ofgem opens consultation on price cap benchmark consumption review
Ofgem has confirmed it will update the price cap's benchmark consumption to the 2023 Typical Domestic Consumption Values from 1 January 2026, a change it says will raise the cap level by about £9 a year for a typical customer.
Ofgem opens policy consultation package on future energy prices
Ofgem has opened three policy consultations on nuclear cost recovery, acquisition-only tariffs and the cap's consumption benchmark, alongside confirming a 2% price cap rise from October.
Welsh Government opens consultation on Part L 2025 review
The Welsh Government opened a consultation on 26 August 2025 on changes to Building Regulations Part L, Part F and Part O and their Approved Document guidance, covering energy efficiency in new and existing buildings.