Rules and Regulation news, page 31
- December 2023
RECC reports Government extension of VAT relief on energy saving materials
The Renewable Energy Consumer Code has reported that VAT relief on energy saving materials will be expanded from 1 February 2024 to cover battery storage, water-source heat pumps and diverters.
Ofgem consults on making no wholesale cost adjustment to the price cap for October 2022 to September 2023
Ofgem has proposed making no adjustment to the energy price cap for wholesale costs incurred between October 2022 and September 2023, with responses to its consultation due by 17 January 2024.
Ofgem consults on one-off £16 price cap adjustment to recover bad debt costs
Ofgem has opened a consultation on a one-off £16 price cap adjustment, paid between April 2024 and March 2025, to let suppliers recover bad debt costs, with prepayment meter customers excluded.
Ofgem decides not to adjust price cap for Winter 22/23 wholesale variances
Ofgem has decided not to adjust the energy price cap for wholesale cost variances over Winter 22/23, and is consulting on a one-off £16 adjustment to cover bad debt.
New consumer standards licence conditions take effect
Ofgem's new consumer standards licence conditions for energy suppliers took effect on 14 December 2023, covering contact ease, support for customers struggling to pay and publication of customer service ratings.
Ofgem consumer standards come into effect
Ofgem's strengthened consumer standards took effect on 14 December 2023, requiring suppliers to offer debt repayment plans and consider repayment holidays, as energy debt reached almost £3 billion.
Ofgem implements new consumer contact and customer service rules
Ofgem's new rules on contacting suppliers, support for customers in difficulty and publishing customer service performance took effect on 14 December 2023, after the fieldwork for its latest satisfaction survey.
Energy Systems Catapult report finds EPCs undermining decarbonisation efforts
Energy Systems Catapult has published a report arguing that domestic Energy Performance Certificates should be reformed, proposing three new metrics and Digital Building Passports to align the system with Net Zero.
Future Homes and Buildings Standards consultation page first published
The government published its consultation on the Future Homes and Buildings Standards on 13 December 2023, proposing Building Regulations changes for new homes in England from 2025.
Government consults on Future Homes and Buildings Standards with solar PV in one of two options for new homes
The government has opened a consultation on the Future Homes and Buildings Standards, setting out two options for new homes in England and recommending solar panels on new non-domestic buildings.
Government opens consultation into the Future Homes and Buildings Standard
The Government has opened a consultation on the Future Homes and Buildings Standard, the rules that will govern how homes built after 2025 are constructed and powered.
Written Ministerial Statement WMS23 published
A written ministerial statement published on 13 December 2023 has left local planning authorities unclear on whether they can set sustainability standards for new homes above national regulations.
Summary of responses to VAT energy-saving materials Call for Evidence published
The government published its summary of responses to the Call for Evidence on VAT relief for energy-saving materials on 11 December 2023, drawing 125 responses and setting out reforms that took effect on 1 February 2024.
ECIU publishes analysis of impact of scrapping MEES on renters in marginal seats
ECIU analysis says scrapping planned Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards could leave around 2.8m privately rented homes without improvements, with renters in marginal seats facing £40m a year in extra bills.
Scottish Government publishes easy read consultation on Heat in Buildings Bill
The Scottish Government has published an easy read version of its Heat in Buildings Bill consultation, setting out proposed dates for ending polluting heating and for minimum energy efficiency standards.
Deadline for suppliers to enrol or replace first-generation smart meters
Energy suppliers must enrol first-generation smart meters onto the national communications network, or replace them with second-generation meters, by the end of 2023.
Future Homes and Buildings Standards consultation published
The government has published its response to the 2023 Future Homes and Buildings Standards consultation, confirming new energy efficiency rules for new homes in England from March 2027.
Hydrogen levy changed to apply to gas shippers rather than energy suppliers
The planned hydrogen levy on household gas bills has been moved onto gas shippers rather than energy suppliers, after the original proposal drew a backlash, according to a Nesta report on energy levies.
Legislation changes give powers to fine excessive smoke from wood burners
A West Yorkshire homeowner has been fined £175 for excessive smoke from a wood-burning stove, the first fixed penalty issued under powers introduced in December 2023.
Ofgem consulted on a wholesale cost adjustment to the price cap and technical changes to the Annex 2 model
Ofgem has set out minded-to positions on whether to adjust the energy price cap for wholesale costs incurred between October 2022 and September 2023, alongside proposed technical changes to its Annex 2 model.
Ofgem consumer service standards reforms took effect
Ofgem's consumer service standards reforms took effect in December 2023, one of six Tariff Watch recommendations campaigners say have been implemented while nine others remain unaddressed.
Petitions with over 800,000 signatures handed to the Prime Minister on energy bills and cold homes
Petitions carrying more than 800,000 signatures have been handed to the Prime Minister, as new figures show 8.3 million UK adults living in cold damp homes this winter.
Revised National Planning Policy Framework published with new energy efficiency policy
A revised National Planning Policy Framework published in December 2023 tells local planning authorities to give significant weight to supporting energy efficiency and low carbon heating improvements to existing buildings.
UKGBC responds to Future Homes and Buildings Standard consultation urging higher standards
UKGBC and its members have responded to the government's Future Homes and Buildings Standard consultation, arguing its options are not genuinely future and proposing a higher standard.
Zero rating for BESS installation announced in December 2023
VAT on domestic battery energy storage systems was cut to zero from 1 February 2024, following a December 2023 announcement and a campaign by Solar Energy UK and parliamentarians.
- November 2023
Consultation planned on permitted development rights for heat pumps in England
The government has confirmed it will consult on new permitted development rights to end the blanket one metre boundary restriction on heat pumps in England, alongside figures showing Boiler Upgrade Scheme applications tripled after the grant rose to £7,500.
Government announces amendments to permitted development rights for solar panels
Amendments to permitted development rights announced on 30 November 2023 widen where solar panels can be installed in England without full planning permission, including domestic flat roofs and larger commercial arrays.
Government confirms Clean Heat Market Mechanism plans
The government has confirmed a Clean Heat Market Mechanism for launch in 2025 and reported that Boiler Upgrade Scheme applications tripled after the grant rose to £7,500.
UK Government heat pump noise research findings published
Research into air source heat pump noise emissions was published on 30 November 2023, prompting a consultation on changes to the MCS-020 noise assessment standard.
MCS opens consultation on MCS 020 planning standard
MCS has opened a consultation on its MCS 020 planning standard for air source heat pumps, proposing changes to solid barrier definitions, background noise assumptions and location guidance, with comments due by 26 January 2024.