Rules and Regulation News: page 40
- March 2023
Citizens Advice publishes report recommending new energy bill support framework
Citizens Advice has published a report calling for the current system of energy bill support to be replaced by a state-determined social tariff funded by general taxation, with a new framework in place by spring 2024.
Which? responds to government energy efficiency campaign and ECO+ scheme
Which? has welcomed the government's energy efficiency campaign and the ECO+ insulation scheme, while calling for fast delivery, independent advice and robust consumer protections.
Almost 1.2m customers disconnected from energy supply
Ofgem figures show almost 1.2 million customers were disconnected from their energy supply in the first three months of 2023, with average household energy debt above £1,200 on electricity.
Chancellor introduces Energy Price Guarantee
The Retail Energy Code Company has updated the methodology behind the payment method levelisation scheme that replaced the Energy Price Guarantee's prepayment unit rate discount from April 2024.
Consultation on resolving the retrofitted BESS VAT anomaly opened in the spring
A call for evidence on VAT relief for energy saving materials opened in spring 2023, examining an anomaly that left retrofitted domestic battery storage facing 20% VAT.
Consultation on Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate published
The government consultation on a Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate was published in the week before 5 April 2023, with the mandate due to come into force in less than nine months.
Defra Burn Better campaign supported by HETAS with sponsored video adverts
HETAS has sponsored video adverts on Facebook and Instagram in partnership with Defra to extend the reach of the government's Burn Better campaign, aimed at households that burn solid fuel at home.
Energy Bill Support Scheme ends
The Energy Bill Support Scheme, which gave every household in Great Britain a £400 discount on energy bills over winter 2022 to 2023, ended in March 2023 with no replacement announced.
Energy companies agree to stop force-fitting prepayment meters in vulnerable customers' homes
All UK energy suppliers have told the government they will stop force-fitting prepayment meters in vulnerable customers' homes, while magistrates have temporarily halted warrant approvals.
Government consultation published on boiler standards, hydrogen-ready boilers and hybrids
A government consultation on minimum boiler standards, a 2026 mandate for hydrogen-ready gas boilers and the role of boiler-heat pump hybrids has been published, with responses due by 21 March 2023.
Government publishes response to ECO+ policy consultation
The government published its response to the ECO+ consultation in March 2023, setting out policy proposals for a scheme later renamed the Great British Insulation Scheme.
Government publishes summary of first REMA consultation responses
The government's March 2023 summary of responses to its first review of electricity market arrangements consultation ruled out several options, including pay-as-bid pricing.
Government response to ECO+ consultation published, renaming the scheme the Great British Insulation Scheme
The government has published its response to the ECO+ consultation, confirming the scheme will be renamed the Great British Insulation Scheme and run from 2023 to 2026 in England, Scotland and Wales.
Great British Nuclear launched
The government has launched Great British Nuclear to support new nuclear builds, announced in the Spring Budget 2023 alongside a three-month extension of the Energy Price Guarantee at £2,500.
Ministers approve hydrogen blending in UK gas network
Ministers have approved blending hydrogen into the UK gas network, with commercial implementation expected by 2025-26 subject to safety assessments and legislative change.
Powering Up Britain energy security plan published
The Government published Powering Up Britain in March 2023, its second energy security plan in two years, setting out measures intended to reduce reliance on imported gas and oil.
Smart Pay Energy withdrew from the SEG during Year 3
Ofgem's SEG annual report records that Smart Pay Energy left the scheme part way through Year 3 against policy, and will be added to the Supplier Performance Report.
The Times reveals forced prepayment installations by British Gas subcontractor
The Times reported that a British Gas subcontractor used brutal methods to force-fit prepayment meters in vulnerable customers' homes, prompting suppliers to halt the practice.
Welsh Government plans to start next Part L review in 2023
The Welsh Government has said it will begin the next review of Part L of the Building Regulations in 2023, with a minimum expectation of a 75% carbon improvement option for 2025.
- February 2023
E3G publishes recommendations ahead of the UK Spring Budget 2023
E3G has published budget recommendations calling for a ten-year funding pledge and fairer distribution of public money for energy efficiency and heat pumps across the UK.
Ofgem to announce April to June price cap level
Ofgem will set the April to June price cap on February 27th, with suppliers writing to households within days, as Energy UK urges the government to hold the Energy Price Guarantee at £2,500.
Ofgem sets price cap at £3,280 for April to June 2023
Ofgem has set the energy price cap for 1 April to 30 June 2023 at £3,280 for a typical dual fuel direct debit household, down from £4,279, but the Energy Price Guarantee rises to £3,000.
Call for evidence on prepayment rules launched
Ofgem opened a call for evidence on prepayment meter rules on 21 February 2023, the first step in a process that ended with new licence conditions taking effect on 8 November 2023.
Citizens Advice responds to Ofgem's outline of next steps on forced prepayment meter installations
Citizens Advice has welcomed Ofgem repeating its call for suppliers to check whether customers should be moved off prepayment meters, warning that the regulator and government must act if progress stalls.
Ofgem outlines next steps on forced prepayment meter installations
Ofgem has set out the terms of its British Gas investigation and the scope of a market-wide prepayment meter review, and asked suppliers to reverse incorrect installations during the current pause.
Citizens Advice responds to DESNZ announcement on forced prepayment meter installations
Citizens Advice has welcomed a government announcement on forced prepayment meter installations but says suppliers must review whether prepayment is safe and that protection should cover remote switching of smart meters.
Energy Security Secretary claims all suppliers committed to ending forced prepayment meter installations
Grant Shapps has claimed all energy suppliers have committed to ending forced prepayment meter installations in vulnerable customers' homes, a move the fuel poverty charity National Energy Action calls right but insufficient.
Sir Robert Neill MP calls for inquiry into pre-payment meter scandal in House of Commons
Sir Robert Neill MP has told the House of Commons that the pre-payment meter scandal shows a flawed court process and requires an inquiry into those representing suppliers and Ofgem.
ECO4 Delivery Guidance version 1.1 published
Ofgem published version 1.1 of its ECO4 Delivery Guidance on 3 February 2023, adding and amending rules on eligibility, ECO4 Flex, projects, measures, scoring and administration.
Approved Document L Volume 2 (2021 edition incorporating 2023 amendments) becomes valid
The 2021 edition of Approved Document L Volume 2, incorporating 2023 amendments, became valid on 2 February 2023, setting the compliance guidance for energy efficiency in buildings other than dwellings in England.