Rules and Regulation news, page 4
- June 2026
Government publishes response to energy redress consultation
The government has published its response to the Fairer, faster redress in the energy market consultation, setting out which proposals on Energy Ombudsman powers it will progress.
Government responds to consultation on strengthening energy supply market protections
The government has responded to its consultation on energy supply market protections, committing to stronger Energy Ombudsman powers and easier automatic referral for complaining households.
Which? responds to Government consultation following botched insulation schemes
Which? has told a Government consultation that stronger consumer protections, qualified installers and cost-free redress are needed to restore trust after past insulation schemes.
Retailers join government plans for plug-in solar and consultation launched
Retailers including B&Q, Currys, Amazon and Lidl have joined government plans for plug-in solar, as DESNZ opened a consultation on enforcing safe consumer installation rules.
Energy Saving Trust to continue overseeing Energy Redress Scheme payments under renewed Ofgem contract
Energy Saving Trust has announced a renewed contract with Ofgem to keep overseeing Energy Redress Scheme payments, the body confirmed on 15 June 2026.
Five electrotechnical bodies issue joint statement urging caution on plug-in solar panels
Five electrotechnical bodies have told Government that plug-in solar panels should not reach the mass market until product standards, enforcement and installation rules are fully in place.
Ofgem publishes final PPM Market Compliance Review report
Ofgem's final prepayment meter market compliance review reports £7,037,003 in compensation, £13 million in debt written off and £55 million in support, with 1,925 wrongful installations found.
Government sets proposed Seventh Carbon Budget level at ~87% emissions reduction for 2038-42
The government has laid a draft Seventh Carbon Budget before Parliament, adopting the Climate Change Committee's advised target of around 87% emissions reduction for 2038 to 2042.
First LDES Cap and Floor window supported 16 projects
Ofgem has published minded-to decisions to give cap and floor investment support to 16 long-duration electricity storage projects totalling 7.6GW and 137GWh of capacity.
Government publishes consultation on consumer protection for home upgrades
The Government has opened a consultation on reforming consumer protection for home upgrades, with proposals for a single end-to-end service and a public register of approved installers.
Ofgem consults on proposed Debt Outcome and Billing Outcome
Ofgem has consulted on a proposed Debt Outcome and a proposed billing outcome, part of a wider move to outcomes-based regulation of how suppliers treat customers who are behind on their bills.
Ofgem publishes version 3 of Warm Home Discount guidance for England and Wales
Ofgem has published version 3 of its Warm Home Discount guidance for England and Wales, covering scheme years 16 to 20 after the scheme was extended from 2026 to 2031.
Permitted development rights for air source heat pumps updated in Wales
Permitted development rights for air source heat pumps in Wales were updated on 1 June 2026, raising the unit size limit, allowing two units on detached homes and permitting air-to-air installations.
- May 2026
MCS 020a to become the only permitted certification scheme for air source heat pumps
From 28 May 2026 the MCS 020a planning standard becomes the only certification scheme accepted for air source heat pump installations under permitted development rights in England.
Ofgem decides to update gas and electricity TDCVs from 1 July 2026
Ofgem has confirmed lower typical domestic consumption values for gas and electricity, to be used across the energy sector from 1 July 2026, after consulting on the figures in March.
Ofgem publishes updated energy price cap levels for 1 July to 30 September 2026
Ofgem has published the energy price cap for 1 July to 30 September 2026, raising the Direct Debit annual bill level from £1,641 to £1,862, a 13% increase driven by wholesale gas costs.
NEPC warns government to speed up electricity system digitalisation for Clean Power 2030
The National Engineering Policy Centre has told government to speed up digitalisation of the Great Britain electricity system, warning that weak coordination and slow smart meter uptake put Clean Power 2030 at risk.
Product Eligibility List updated
Ofgem updated the Boiler Upgrade Scheme Product Eligibility List on 21 May 2026, the administrative tool that identifies heat pumps and biomass boilers meeting the scheme's MCS standards.
Climate Change Committee publishes A Well-Adapted UK report
The Climate Change Committee has published A Well-Adapted UK, warning that heat, flooding and drought threaten UK homes and setting out cooling, flood protection and water security as priorities.
Consultation on updating standards for local space heating products closes
A government consultation on replacing ecodesign rules for local space heaters in Great Britain closed on 20 May 2026, with officials now analysing the responses.
Citizens Advice responds to conclusion of Ofgem British Gas prepayment meter investigation
Citizens Advice has responded to the conclusion of Ofgem's investigation into British Gas prepayment meter installations, saying the settlement shows forced installations have serious consequences and calling for real compensation.
Brighton & Hove cabinet approves citywide smoke control area
Brighton & Hove's cabinet has approved a single citywide smoke control area to replace five existing zones, with resident communications planned for autumn 2026 ahead of the winter heating season.
Ofgem publishes WHD annual report for scheme year 14
Ofgem's annual report on the Warm Home Discount shows suppliers spent £595.2 million in scheme year 14 and issued 3.41 million rebates of £150 to households in or at risk of fuel poverty.
Call for input on energy price cap technical approach to MHHS closes
Ofgem's call for input on adapting the energy price cap's wholesale allowance to Market Wide Half-Hourly Settlement closed on 6 May 2026, after responses were requested by 5 May.
Citizens Advice responds to Ofgem consultation on price cap technical approach to MHHS
Citizens Advice has told Ofgem it supports keeping a single-rate price cap alongside a time-of-use variant, but opposes moving all default consumers onto default time-of-use tariffs.
Energy Saving Trust responds to lender energy performance consultation
The Energy Saving Trust has welcomed government proposals for a mandatory energy performance duty on mortgage lenders, but says the current scope would reach only a fraction of the homes it could.
G99/NI Fast Track application limit raised to 60A per phase
NIE Networks has raised the G99/NI Fast Track application limit in Northern Ireland from 16A to 60A per phase, while keeping the export limit at 16A per phase.
Intended introduction of Heat in Buildings Bill after Scottish election
The Scottish Government has paused its Heat in Buildings Bill and now intends to introduce it after the Scottish Parliament returns following the May 2026 election, subject to the outcome.
Ofgem to announce July price cap level towards end of May
Ofgem will announce the July to September 2026 price cap level towards the end of May, with forecasts pointing to a rise driven by wholesale gas costs after the Iran conflict.
Smart metering regulations signed into force
Regulations and amendments enacting smart metering consumer protection changes were signed into force in May 2026, alongside a wider clean flexibility update covering tariffs, storage and settlement.