Rules and Regulation News: page 29
- February 2024
Ofgem allows involuntary prepayment meter installations to resume
Ofgem has confirmed that some energy suppliers may resume installing prepayment meters without household consent in early 2024, ending a pause on the practice.
Ofgem approves R0147 and confirms standing charge levelisation from 1 April 2024
Ofgem has confirmed that standing charges for prepayment meter and direct debit customers under the price cap will be levelled from 1 April 2024, accepting change proposal R0147.
Ofgem decided to extend the BAT for a further year
Ofgem decided in February 2024 to extend the ban on acquisition-only tariffs for a further year, citing residual risk in removing it and the Market Stabilisation Charge at the same time.
Ofgem introduced the Float temporary debt allowance
Ofgem has opened a consultation on whether the temporary debt allowance it added to the energy price cap in February 2024, known as the Float, was set at the right level.
Ofgem levelisation decision opens potential phase 2 on debt-related costs
Ofgem has said it could consult on levelling debt-related costs between Standard Credit and Direct Debit customers, as part of a wider review of price cap operating cost allowances.
Ofgem lowers price cap by around 12% for domestic energy bills
Ofgem has lowered its price cap for domestic energy bills by around 12% from April 2024, but gas and electricity costs remain 60% higher than in 2021, according to the End Fuel Poverty Coalition.
Ofgem sets out contingency proposals for price cap methodology
Ofgem has set out more detailed proposals for amending the price cap methodology if legislation on an energy intensive industry exemption is not in place by 1 April 2024.
- January 2024
Council of the European Union adopts revised F-gas regulation
The Council of the European Union adopted a revised F-gas regulation on 29 January 2024, phasing down fluorinated gases used in heat pumps, air conditioners, fridges and some medicines.
MCS 020 consultation closes with 55 responses
MCS has published its response to a consultation on the MCS 020 sound standard for air source heat pumps, which closed on 26 January 2024 with 55 responses.
Warm This Winter releases third Tariff Watch report on standing charges
Warm This Winter's third Tariff Watch report identifies 14 obscure charges inside the Ofgem price cap that it says have pushed electricity standing charges up 119 per cent since winter 2020/21.
NEA publishes response to additional debt-related costs allowance policy consultation
National Energy Action has published its response to the consultation on an additional debt-related costs allowance, saying record market debt and arrears of £2.6bn show households are falling behind on energy costs.
NEA publishes response to prepayment meter standing charges consultation
National Energy Action has published its response to the statutory consultation on prepayment meter standing charges and other debt costs, restating its long-standing call to remove payment premiums.
Publication of Air Source Heat Pump Noise & Permitted Development Rights in Wales reports (phase 1 & 2)
The Welsh Government has published two reports on air source heat pump noise and permitted development rights, examining whether the current three-metre boundary rule should change.
Consumer Scotland responds to Ofgem's Standing Charges Call for Input
Consumer Scotland has told Ofgem that moving standing charges onto unit rates in isolation would hit Scottish, disabled and electric heating households hardest, and that the regulator's own modelling does not justify the change.
Eight suppliers cleared to restart involuntary prepayment meter installations
Eight energy suppliers met Ofgem's criteria to restart involuntary prepayment meter installations from January 2024, after the practice was suspended in February 2023.
Energy National Policy Statements came into effect
The energy National Policy Statements were designated and came into effect in January 2024, with solar infrastructure treated as a Critical National Priority for nationally significant low carbon infrastructure.
New UK-EU Rules of Origin scheduled to begin
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders has warned that tougher UK-EU Rules of Origin begin on 1 January 2024, with electric vehicles traded both ways facing possible tariffs.
First suppliers restart involuntary PPM activity
Ofgem has confirmed that the first energy suppliers restarted involuntary prepayment meter installations in January 2024, after independent audits verified they met strengthened rules introduced in November 2023.
UK Government to introduce zero-emission vehicle mandate
The UK Government has committed to a zero-emission vehicle mandate from 1 January 2024, extended to Northern Ireland by ministerial agreement, setting annual zero-emission sales targets for manufacturers.
Government withdrawal notice issued for UPP e-bike battery
A Government withdrawal notice issued in January 2024 told Amazon, eBay and Alibaba that UPP e-bike batteries U004 and U004-1 pose a serious risk of fire, and listings have since been found on Facebook Marketplace.
Ofgem energy price cap to rise by 5% from January 2024
Ofgem's energy price cap rises 5% from 1 January 2024, taking a typical household bill from £1,834 to £1,928 a year, with prepayment and cash or cheque customers paying more.
Ofgem price cap from January 2024 puts EPC band F gas bills £415 above band C
Analysis by the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit finds gas bills in EPC band F homes will average £415 a year more than band C homes under Ofgem's price cap from January 2024.
Ofgem price cap rises in January 2024
A quarterly Tariff Watch report from the Warm This Winter coalition says 14 obscure charges, passed through standing charges, are keeping electricity bills at record levels after January's price cap rise.
Price cap expected to rise around 1% in January 2024
Cornwall Insight expects the Ofgem price cap to rise by around 1% in January 2024 after European gas prices rose again, taking a typical annual bill to about £1,932.
Zero emission vehicle mandate becomes law
The Zero Emission Vehicle mandate became law in January 2024, setting manufacturers annual quotas for zero emission cars and vans on the pathway to 2035.
Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate expected to come into force
The Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate is expected to come into force in January 2024, setting a minimum quota for new battery electric vehicle registrations for every brand.
ZEV mandate targets scheduled to begin
From 1 January 2024, the zero emission vehicle mandate requires an increasing share of each manufacturer's annual new car and van sales in the UK to be zero emission, rising to 100% in 2035.
- December 2023
Scottish Government publishes update to Building Standards Technical Handbook implementing New Build Heat Standard
The Scottish Government has published a Building Standards Technical Handbook update implementing the New Build Heat Standard, banning gas and oil boilers in new homes from April 2024 but leaving the notional house specification unchanged.
Amendments to Class A made by the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development etc.) (England) (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2023 (S.I. 2023/1279) come into force
Amendments to Class A permitted development rights for solar equipment on domestic premises in England came into force on 21 December 2023, clarifying roof slope references and adding a prior approval requirement for flat roofs on article 2(3) land.
New permitted development rights for solar panels take effect in England
Amended permitted development rights for solar panels in England took effect on 21 December 2023, widening what can be installed without full planning permission.