Rules and Regulation News: page 42
- January 2023
95 organisations call on Chancellor to introduce an energy social tariff
Ninety-five charities and non-profit organisations have written to the Chancellor calling for a social tariff, as a new Fuel Poverty Monitor warns of rising fuel poverty from April 2023.
E3G publishes briefing urging tighter energy efficiency rules for UK landlords
E3G has published a briefing arguing that raising minimum energy efficiency standards for rented homes in the UK would save tenants £570 a year and the economy £1.75bn a year.
Mission Zero independent review of Net Zero published
The Independent Review of Net Zero, led by Chris Skidmore MP, was published as Mission Zero, with industry bodies highlighting consumer protection and installer standards in home energy efficiency work.
Retrofit Installers Working Group launched with TrustMark and other Certification Bodies
NAPIT has launched a Retrofit Installers Working Group with TrustMark and other certification bodies, focused on quality assurance checks and protecting consumers from noncompliant retrofit work.
Government opens consultation on improving boiler standards and efficiency
The government has opened a consultation on improving boiler standards and efficiency, covering minimum standards, a hydrogen-ready mandate for new gas boilers from 2026 and boiler-heat pump hybrids.
YouGov survey shows strong public support for renewables in new-build homes
A YouGov survey of 1,722 UK adults found 80% support for solar panels as standard on new-build homes, 66% for battery storage and 60% for heat pumps, ahead of a Government consultation on the Future Homes Standard.
Draft Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan published
The Scottish Government published its draft Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan on 10 January 2023, opening a consultation on a route map to a net zero energy system.
Plan to implement Passivhaus standard in Scotland announced
The Scottish Government announced plans on 10 January 2023 to introduce minimum environmental design standards for all newbuild housing, meeting a Scottish equivalent to the Passivhaus standard.
Citizens Advice responds to the BEIS ECO+ consultation
Citizens Advice has told the government its ECO+ energy efficiency scheme, with a £1bn budget over three years and a 410,000 household target, could be far more ambitious.
Insulating foam ban date changed
Government guidance on fluorinated gases was updated on 4 January 2023 to record that a ban on F gases in insulating foam is already in force, rather than starting in 2023.
Government publishes new details on cost of living payments
The UK Government has published new details of cost of living payments running from spring 2023 to spring 2024, as National Energy Action warns the support will not stop millions being pushed into fuel poverty.
Cost-Plus Revenue Limit to come into force
The government's temporary Cost-Plus Revenue Limit on low-carbon generators in England and Wales is planned to come into force from the start of 2023, under powers in the Energy Prices Bill.
Draft Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan published for consultation
The Scottish Government published its draft Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan for consultation in January 2023, setting out ambitions to transform how Scotland heats its homes and buildings.
E3G publishes briefing urging revival of MEES proposals for private renters
E3G has published a briefing arguing that the Energy Bill's return in 2023 offers a chance to revive revised Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards for private rented homes, consulted on in 2020 but never put to Parliament.
Environment Improvement Plan 2023 introduced
The government published the Environment Improvement Plan in January 2023, the first review of the 25 Year Environment Plan, setting out measures on domestic burning including tighter emission limits for new stoves.
Environment Improvement Plan published confirming no ban on domestic burning in England
The Environment Improvement Plan states that the government is not considering a ban on domestic burning in England, and recognises that some households depend on solid fuel for heating, hot water and cooking.
ESF investigation finds over 50 unsafe listings across five online marketplaces
Electrical Safety First found more than 50 unsafe electrical listings across five online marketplaces, with a further 58 products investigated in January 2023 all deemed unsuitable for sale.
Future Homes Standard draft publication expected in 2023
The government has accelerated work on the Future Homes Standard, with draft publication now expected in 2023 as part of a two-stage tightening of building rules.
Government announces cut in fuel poverty support for next winter
The Government has announced reduced financial support for households in fuel poverty in 2023/24, with energy bills set to rise from 1 April 2023 as the Energy Bills Support Scheme ends.
New heat networks consented from 2023 to use low or zero emissions heat sources
Heat networks consented in Scotland from 2023 will have to draw their heat from low or zero emissions sources, under proposals set out in a Scottish Government consultation.
Ofgem announces market compliance review into PPM practices
Ofgem opened a Market Compliance Review into involuntary prepayment meter practices in January 2023, alongside an urgent investigation into British Gas and a market-wide pause on forced installations.
Ofgem introduced stringent new rules for prepayment meter installations
Ofgem brought in stringent new rules for prepayment meter installation in 2023, after suppliers failed to follow the rules on forced installation, a later government review confirms.
Ofgem opens investigation into British Gas over PPM practices
Ofgem has opened an investigation into British Gas and a Market Compliance Review into prepayment meter practices, alongside a consultation on strengthening protections for involuntary prepayment meter installations.
UK Power Networks next regulatory price control period begins
UK Power Networks has begun its next regulatory price control period, running from 2023 to 2028, after its Green Recovery programme drew 360 bids and led to 86 approved projects.
Quarterly price cap increase planned for January 2023
The End Fuel Poverty Coalition has written to Ofgem urging it to drop a planned quarterly price cap increase in January 2023 and to make five urgent reforms to the energy market.
RECCo publishes report estimating energy theft costs consumers up to £1.4bn yearly
The Retail Energy Code Company has published a report with Capgemini estimating that energy theft costs consumers up to £1.4 billion a year and adds up to £50 to every bill.
Review of energy standards commences to investigate a Scottish equivalent to the Passivhaus standard
The Scottish Government began a review of building energy standards at the start of 2023 to investigate what a Scottish equivalent to the Passivhaus standard might be.
Scottish government launches EPC reform consultation
The Scottish government has consulted on the design and content of Energy Performance Certificates, with findings from that consultation expected towards the end of 2024.
Severe-weather compensation scheme in place in Great Britain
Electricity network companies in England, Scotland and Wales have operated a severe-weather compensation scheme since 2023, funded by electricity customers, as confirmed by NIE Networks.
Welsh Government published consultation reviewing renewable energy targets
The Welsh Government has confirmed it consulted in January 2023 on renewable energy targets including 100% of annual electricity consumption from renewables by 2035 and 5.5GW of heat pump capacity.
Where Our Energy Comes FromScotland, Wales and Northern Ireland