Rules and Regulation news, page 17
- May 2025
Great British Energy Act received Royal Assent
The Great British Energy Act received Royal Assent on 15 May 2025, creating a publicly owned clean energy company backed by £8.3 billion to invest over this parliament.
Consumer Scotland publishes response to Ofgem smart meter guaranteed standards consultation
Consumer Scotland has published its response to Ofgem's consultation on new guaranteed standards of performance for smart meters, backing the proposals while calling for shorter fault time limits.
NEA publishes response to Ofgem smart meter guaranteed standards consultation
National Energy Action has published its response to Ofgem's consultation on guaranteed standards of performance for smart meters, backing proposed post-install aftercare and remedy measures.
Committee publishes Retrofitting homes for net zero report
The Energy Security and Net Zero Committee has published a report on retrofitting homes for net zero, calling for longer funding certainty, a national advice service and a carbon metric for home energy performance.
Consultation closed on improving the energy performance of privately rented homes
The government consultation on raising minimum energy efficiency standards for privately rented homes in England and Wales closed on 2 May 2025, with 1,920 responses received.
UK Government consultation on EPC band C for PRS closes
The UK Government consultation on requiring privately rented homes in England and Wales to reach EPC band C before being let closed on 2 May 2025, with the standard proposed from 2028.
Regulatory Review Group wrote to the Cabinet Secretary with EPC reform advice
The Regulatory Review Group wrote to the Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy on 2 May 2025 with five recommendations on Scottish EPC reform, all of which ministers have accepted.
RPC issued a formal opinion on proposed permitted development rights amendments
The Regulatory Policy Committee has issued a formal opinion on government proposals to widen permitted development rights for off-street electric vehicle charge points and air source heat pumps on domestic premises.
Committee recommends national warm homes advice service
The Energy Security and Net Zero Committee has called on the Government to launch a national warm homes advice service and add a carbon metric to home energy certificates, in a report published on 9 May 2025.
Debt allowance set at £71 per customer per year
Ofgem has set the debt allowance within the energy price cap at £71 per customer per year, the bottom of the range it consulted on and £2 above current allowances.
New electrical safety check laws come into force for social rented homes in England
Five-yearly electrical safety inspections became mandatory in England's social rented homes on 1 May, with social landlords facing fines of up to £40,000 for non-compliance.
Government decides SAP 10.3 will be available as an alternative to HEM for the Future Homes Standard
The Government has decided that an updated version of SAP, known as SAP 10.3, will be approved for use with the Future Homes Standard as an alternative to the Home Energy Model, with a period of dual running.
Modification programme for heat pump tumble dryers added
The Office for Product Safety and Standards has added a modification programme for several brands of heat pump tumble dryer to its product recalls and alerts list, citing a risk of fire.
OPSS publishes Safety Reports on heat pump tumble dryer fire risk
The Office for Product Safety and Standards has told Haier its modification programme for heat pump tumble dryers is not satisfactory, and more than 17,000 owners must stop using the appliances.
Secondary legislation for mid-scheme changes due to be laid in May 2025
The government has confirmed mid-scheme changes to the Energy Company Obligation 4 and Great British Insulation Scheme, with secondary legislation due to be laid in May 2025 and come into force from July.
SMNCC status quo approach retained with technical changes
Ofgem has kept its existing method for setting supplier operating cost and debt allowances in the energy price cap, updating the cost data to 2023 and cutting the allowance by £8 per customer on average.
- April 2025
Consultation on Boiler Upgrade Scheme amendments and clean heat certification opens
The government has opened a two-part consultation on changes to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme and on making MCS the sole certification scheme for clean heat installations.
Ofgem opens consultation on heat networks fair pricing protections
Ofgem has opened a consultation on a fair pricing framework for heat networks, setting out proposals on pricing principles, cost allocation and price investigations ahead of the new regime in January 2026.
Ofgem published the ED3 price control framework
Ofgem published the ED3 price control framework on 30 April 2025, setting out how electricity distribution network investment will be planned and funded ahead of need before the 2028 to 2033 control period.
Which? responds to Government plans to expand home heating grant options
Which? has responded to government proposals to widen the options for home heating grants, saying they could help more consumers switch to sustainable heating and bring in more trustworthy installers.
New homes sector publishes initial Net Zero Transition Plan
The Future Homes Hub and the Carbon Trust have published an initial Net Zero Transition Plan for new homes, backed by committed homebuilders and two new implementation boards.
MCS consumer protection consultation closes
MCS has closed a consultation on proposed changes to financial protection requirements for small-scale renewables, with the response to be published soon.
Government response to smart and secure electricity system consultation published
The government has published its response to the 2024 consultation on smart and secure electricity systems, confirming standards for energy smart appliances, a load control licence and tariff data rules.
ECIU analysis says ZEV mandate changes could cost families over £1000 a year
ECIU analysis published on 22 April 2025 says changes to the Zero Emission Vehicle mandate weaken manufacturer incentives to cut electric car prices and could cost families over £1000 a year.
Committee on Fuel Poverty response to Warm Home Discount expansion consultation published
The Committee on Fuel Poverty has published its response to the government consultation on expanding the Warm Home Discount Scheme for 2025 to 2026, covering England, Scotland and Wales.
Energy Saving Trust publishes report on what the UK needs from the Warm Homes Plan
The Energy Saving Trust has published a five-pillar report setting out what the UK Government needs to do to deliver the Warm Homes Plan and its target of retrofitting five million homes.
Ofgem approved NESO connections reform proposals
Ofgem has approved NESO's connections reform proposals, moving the grid queue to a "first ready, first connected" approach that prioritises projects meeting the UK's strategic needs.
Ofgem publishes final Consumer Vulnerability Strategy
Ofgem has published a refreshed Consumer Vulnerability Strategy with four themes and a cross-cutting theme, after a consultation that drew 67 responses.
Energy Saving Trust publishes response to future default tariffs consultation
The Energy Saving Trust has told a government call for evidence that suppliers should be obliged to place households on default tariffs that suit their circumstances, and that the default price cap should be reformed.
Welsh Government opens consultation on changes to permitted development rights in Wales
The Welsh Government consulted on changes to permitted development rights for air source heat pumps and off-street electric vehicle charging, opening on 8 April 2025 and closing on 1 July 2025.