Rules and Regulation News: page 28
- March 2024
Social Housing Net Zero Standard consultation closed
The Scottish Government's consultation on a new Social Housing Net Zero Standard closed on 8 March 2024, with responses now under independent analysis ahead of a report.
Which? publishes response to Scottish Government consultation on Heat In Buildings Bill
Which? has responded to the Scottish Government's consultation on the Heat in Buildings Bill, backing long term targets and installer certification while warning that support must match the scale of the change.
Future Homes and Buildings Standards consultation closes
The government consultation on the Future Homes and Buildings Standards closed on 6 March 2024, setting the rules for energy efficiency and heating in new homes in England.
Spring Budget 2024 delivered by Chancellor Jeremy Hunt
Jeremy Hunt's Spring Budget on 6 March 2024 cut employee National Insurance by 2p, extended the 5p fuel duty cut and launched a Public Sector Productivity Programme.
Covid-19 cap amendment to end in March 2024
Ofgem's temporary amendment to the energy price cap, which allowed suppliers to recover additional costs incurred during the Covid-19 pandemic, runs until March 2024, Energy UK has said.
Energy price guarantee backstop due to end
The energy price guarantee stays as a backstop until the end of March 2024, after which the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero will consult on arrangements for vulnerable consumers.
Government delays Clean Heat Market Mechanism to April 2025
The government has delayed the Clean Heat Market Mechanism, the scheme that would have fined boiler makers for missing heat pump sales targets, to a proposed April 2025 start.
Market Stabilisation Charge extension period ends
Ofgem has allowed the Market Stabilisation Charge to expire at the end of its extension period in March 2024, confirming no adjustment to the price cap for wholesale costs incurred between October 2022 and September 2023.
Ofgem publishes Affordability and debt call for input
Ofgem has opened a call for input on affordability and debt in the domestic retail market, with responses due in May 2024, as household energy debt reaches record levels.
Ofgem publishes Future of domestic price protection discussion paper
Ofgem has published a discussion paper on the future of domestic price protection, asking whether the default tariff price cap should be reformed as the retail energy market changes.
Order made extending Scottish permitted development rights for renewables, windows and electricity network infrastructure
The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Scotland) Amendment Order 2024 extends permitted development rights for domestic and non-domestic renewables, window replacement and electricity network infrastructure.
UK regulators publish joint debt collection statement
The FCA, Ofgem, Ofwat and Ofcom have published a joint debt collection statement through the UK Regulators' Network, setting four expected outcomes for how utilities treat customers in debt.
New repairing standard elements commence
New elements of Scotland's repairing standard covering safe kitchens, fixed heating, safe access to common parts, secure common doors, residual current devices and other fuels took effect for private rented homes on 1 March 2024.
Spring 2024 Budget extends Windfall Tax and Household Support Fund but ends other support
The Spring 2024 Budget extended the Windfall Tax and the Household Support Fund for limited periods, but ended other bill support on 31 March and announced no new energy efficiency funding.
- February 2024
Citizens Advice responds to DESNZ consultation on heat network zoning
Citizens Advice has told the government it supports heat network zoning but wants consumer protection built into the policy, warning that leaving a heat network is extremely difficult once a building is connected.
£28 bad debt cost added to annual bills for 12 months
Ofgem has added £28 to annual energy bills for 12 months within the April price cap to help suppliers recover bad debt costs, as the cap falls to £1,690.
Ofgem announces April-June 2024 price cap
Ofgem has set the April to June 2024 price cap, which the Resolution Foundation says will produce the second biggest percentage fall in consumer energy prices since the cap began in 2019.
Ofgem announces price cap level for 1 April to 30 June 2024
Ofgem has set the energy price cap for 1 April to 30 June 2024 at a typical dual-fuel annual bill of £1,690, a 12 per cent fall, with prepayment meters becoming the cheapest way to pay.
Ofgem decides not to adjust energy price cap for additional wholesale costs
Ofgem has decided not to adjust the energy price cap for differences between wholesale costs and allowances over October 2022 to September 2023, and will make two small technical changes to its wholesale allowance model.
Government responds in written statement to CMA consumer protection review
The Government has accepted that retrofit consumers face difficulties and a confusing standards landscape, in a written statement responding to the competition watchdog's green heating and insulation review.
Welsh Government publishes response to Ofgem call for input on standing charges
The Welsh Government has told Ofgem that standing charges should be abolished, that North Wales pays the highest in Great Britain, and that a social tariff is overdue.
YouGov poll released showing 79% of MPs back mandatory solar panels for new-build homes
A YouGov poll of 107 MPs, commissioned by the MCS Foundation, found 79 per cent support making solar panels mandatory on all new-build homes from 2025, with 61 per cent backing mandatory battery storage.
Consultation on changes to permitted development rights opened
The government consulted on changes to permitted development rights for electric vehicle charge points and air source heat pumps between 13 February and 9 April 2024, drawing 1,409 responses.
Permitted development rights consultation opens
The government has opened a consultation on changes to permitted development rights in England, covering larger home extensions, building upwards, demolition and rebuild, electric vehicle charge points and air source heat pumps.
MCS opens four-week consultation on changes to MIS 3005-D heat pump design standard
MCS has opened a four-week consultation on changes to its heat pump design standard, proposing a definition of hybrid systems, removal of the 100% heat loss sizing rule and a minimum 55% peak power contribution.
SSEN submits £10m Storm Arwen funding application to Ofgem
SSEN Distribution has asked Ofgem for £10m of dedicated funding for five projects to improve storm response and network resilience, following the regulator's review of the response to Storm Arwen.
ECIU publishes estimate of the cost of not zero in 2023
The Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit estimates that missing net zero technologies and higher food bills cost UK households and government £73bn over 2022 and 2023, and at least £87bn since the early 2010s.
Addendum to NISEP 2023/25 Framework Document published
The Utility Regulator published a February 2024 addendum to the NISEP 2023/25 Framework Document, changing income eligibility, heat pump monitoring, governance and customer protections.
Government applies prepayment meter discount
The government has applied a discount on prepayment meters since February 2024 so that customers are not financially penalised for being moved onto one.
Government introduces voluntary principles for replacing smart meter displays
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero introduced voluntary principles in February 2024 to help households obtain a replacement smart meter display once the 12-month supplier obligation has ended.