Rules and Regulation News: page 18
- March 2025
Consumer Scotland responds to DESNZ consultation on expanding the Warm Home Discount Scheme 2025-26
Consumer Scotland has backed plans to widen the Park Homes Warm Home Discount to households that do not pay suppliers directly, but says the expansion needs new money rather than funds taken from energy advice work.
Consumer Scotland responds to Ofgem consultation on zero standing charge price cap variant
Consumer Scotland has told Ofgem that a zero standing charge price cap variant risks concentrating fixed costs in winter and may only benefit a limited group of low-usage households.
Scottish Government minister writes to Ofgem on RTS switch-off
Scotland's acting climate minister has written to Ofgem asking for urgent action to speed up replacement of Radio Teleswitch Service meters, with 146,302 Scottish consumers still needing new meters before June.
Energy UK publishes briefing on data sharing to support vulnerable customers
Energy UK has published a briefing calling on the next government to set up a cross-Whitehall project on data access and matching, and to fold government data into a shared Priority Services Register.
Consumer Scotland publishes response to Ofgem RTS metering obligations consultation
Consumer Scotland has told Ofgem that plans to end the Radio Teleswitch Service in June 2025 need a narrow supplier exception and a compensation route for affected households.
Consumer Scotland responds to DESNZ call for evidence on energy smart data scheme
Consumer Scotland has welcomed a proposed energy smart data scheme that would let households share consumption and tariff data, while calling for strong consent controls, third party vetting and enforcement.
Draft Fuel Poverty Strategy consultation closes
Northern Ireland's draft Fuel Poverty Strategy consultation closed at 23:59 GMT on Thursday 6 March 2025, ending an exercise on a long-term framework and a proposed energy efficiency scheme.
MCS responds to DESNZ call for evidence on Ofgem review
MCS has backed a proposed extension of Ofgem's remit to enforce consumer law for low-carbon technologies, and asked to act as the regulator's delivery partner for small-scale renewables.
Heat Networks (Market Framework) Regulations 2025 made
The Heat Networks (Market Framework) (Great Britain) Regulations 2025 were made on 2 March 2025, creating an authorisation regime for heat network operators with consumer protection conditions and a launch date of 27th January 2026.
March Consultation on smart meter GSOPs published
Ofgem has confirmed new Guaranteed Standards of Performance for smart meters, with automatic compensation for consumers from 23 February 2026 where suppliers miss installation and fault-handling deadlines.
MCS begins transition to Redeveloped Installer Scheme over 18 months
MCS has begun an 18 month transition to its Redeveloped Installer Scheme, announced alongside record contractor numbers of over 5,250 and a record year for certified installations in 2024.
MCS introduces amended ASHP standards
MCS introduced amended air source heat pump standards on 20 March 2025, further amended on 23 April, which the Welsh Government says will form part of permitted development rights if its proposals come into force.
MHHS rollout to begin over 18 months from spring 2025
Ofgem has confirmed that Market-wide Half-Hourly Settlement will be rolled out over 18 months from spring 2025, exposing suppliers to the half-hourly cost of household electricity use.
Planning and Infrastructure Bill was introduced
The Planning and Infrastructure Bill, introduced in March 2025, gives the Secretary of State and Ofgem new powers over industry codes, licences and strategic plans for grid connections.
- February 2025
RECC winter newsletter published
The Renewable Energy Consumer Code has published its winter newsletter, covering 2024 monitoring results, consumer survey findings from the Electrification of Heat Demonstration Project and an update to MCS 031.
CCC presents Seventh Carbon Budget advice for a decarbonised UK by 2050
The Climate Change Committee has recommended a Seventh Carbon Budget limiting UK emissions to 535 MtCO2e over 2038 to 2042, with electrification of homes and transport doing most of the work.
Citizens Advice responds to government consultation on reforms to the Energy Performance of Buildings regime
Citizens Advice has responded to the government's consultation on reforming the Energy Performance of Buildings regime, backing a five-year EPC validity period and stronger private rented sector requirements.
Heat Pump Association reacts to CCC Carbon Budget 7 advice
The Heat Pump Association has responded to the Climate Change Committee's seventh carbon budget advice, citing 450,000 heat pump installations a year by 2030 and calling for action on electricity and gas price disparity.
Debt allowance extension announced
Ofgem has extended the debt allowance that supports suppliers helping customers who struggle to pay, announced alongside a 6% rise in the price cap from April 2025.
DESNZ publishes consultation on expanding WHD support for SY15
DESNZ has published a consultation on expanding Warm Home Discount support for scheme year 15, with the resulting changes due to come into force in September 2025.
Government consults on expanding the Warm Home Discount
The government has opened a consultation on expanding the Warm Home Discount, proposing to bring around 2.7 million more households into the £150 scheme from next winter.
Ofgem announces energy price cap increase for April to June 2025
Ofgem has raised the energy price cap by 6.4 per cent for April to June 2025, taking a typical household bill to £1,849 a year, and the government is consulting on a wider Warm Home Discount.
Ofgem confirms extension of the price cap debt-related costs Float allowance
Ofgem has confirmed it will keep the temporary debt-related costs allowance in the energy price cap at £31 per dual fuel customer until its operating costs review takes effect or September 2025.
Ofgem opens consultation on tariff without standing charge
Ofgem has opened an industry consultation on introducing a tariff without a standing charge, announced alongside a 6% rise in the price cap for April to June 2025.
National Infrastructure Commission published its distribution networks study
The National Infrastructure Commission published a study on 21 February 2025 setting out 14 recommendations to prepare Britain's local electricity distribution networks for net zero.
Citizens Advice responds to Ofgem consultation on energy debt relief scheme
Citizens Advice has welcomed Ofgem's proposed energy debt relief scheme but wants it simplified, focused on crisis-caused debt and financed by energy networks at zero interest rather than by consumers.
Trust publishes response to Ofgem debt relief consultation
The British Gas Energy Trust has backed a targeted one-off energy debt relief scheme in its response to Ofgem's consultation, provided it forms part of a long-term affordability strategy.
Consultation opened on improving the energy performance of privately rented homes
The government has published its response to a consultation on raising minimum energy efficiency standards for privately rented homes in England and Wales to EPC C by 2030.
Energy Ombudsman responds to Ofgem Forward Work Programme 2025/6 consultation
The Energy Ombudsman has backed Ofgem's 2025/6 work programme, including standing charge reform, debt and affordability work, smart meter enforcement and licensing of aggregators from 2026.
Consumer Scotland publishes response to Ofgem debt relief scheme consultation
Consumer Scotland has published its response to Ofgem's consultation on a debt relief scheme, backing a Debt Guarantee and a shorter back-billing limit for households with smart meters.