Rules and Regulation News: page 6
- March 2026
Government to consult on reforming consumer protection for energy installations
The government will consult in 2026 on bringing oversight of energy efficiency and microgeneration installations for its schemes under closer government control, and on the role of the Warm Homes Agency.
Government publishes response to Approved Document O call for evidence
The Government has published its response to a call for evidence on Approved Document O, which covers overheating in homes, and announced a review of Part O alongside new building standards for England.
Great British Insulation Scheme closes to applications
The Great British Insulation Scheme closed to applications after the government declined to extend it beyond March 2026, ending supplier-funded insulation for lower council tax band homes.
IGEM responds to Home Energy Model: EPC consultation opposing heating metric rating caps
IGEM has told DESNZ it disagrees with proposed Home Energy Model EPC rules that would cap ratings for fossil-fuel and hybrid heating and reserve A and B bands for electric cooking.
Ofgem publishes consultation with minded-to position of no further debt cost adjustment
Ofgem has set out a minded-to position not to add any further adjustment to the energy price cap for historical debt-related costs between April 2022 and June 2025.
Solid fuel burning consultation closed
Defra's annual progress report confirms the solid fuel burning consultation, covering stricter stove emission limits, higher wet wood fines and mandatory warning labels, closed in March 2026 and is still under review.
- February 2026
Summary of responses published for Part L 2025 review
The Welsh Government has published its summary of responses to the 2025 review of Building Regulations Part L, covering planned changes to energy efficiency standards in new and existing buildings.
Cabinet Secretary met Ofgem officials on the next price cap
The Welsh Government's Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice met Ofgem officials the day before confirming the next energy price cap, which falls by £117 to £1,641 from 1 April 2026.
CCC warns buildings and NETs policies put post-2030 carbon budgets at risk
The Climate Change Committee says Scotland has credible plans for 91 per cent of the emissions cuts needed to 2030, but warns weak buildings and negative emissions policies put later carbon budgets at risk.
Warm Home Discount costs to move from standing charges to unit rate
Ofgem has confirmed that Warm Home Discount costs will move from standing charges to the unit rate, cutting standing charges by an average of £13 for dual fuel customers from April.
Ofgem announces 7% fall in energy price cap from April 2026
Ofgem has confirmed the energy price cap will fall by 7%, or £117, to £1,641 a year for a typical Direct Debit dual fuel household from 1 April to 30 June 2026.
Compensation under smart meter GSOPs 1-3 commences
Ofgem has brought smart meter Guaranteed Standards of Performance 1 to 3 into legislation, with automatic supplier compensation for breaches starting on 23 February 2026.
Ofgem rule requires supplier response within five working days and £40 compensation for smart meter problems
Ofgem rules in force from 23 February 2026 require suppliers to set out a smart meter fix plan within five working days or pay £40 compensation automatically.
Smart metering Guaranteed Standards of Performance GSOPs 1-3 come into force
Ofgem's Guaranteed Standards of Performance 1 to 3 for smart metering took effect on 23 February 2026, covering installation appointments, failed installations and initial assessment of reported problems.
Energy Saving Trust publishes response to PRS energy performance consultation
The Energy Saving Trust has backed the government's plan to raise minimum energy efficiency standards for privately rented homes, while urging faster action on EPC reform and landlord support.
Energy Saving Trust responds to Treasury interim report on net zero costs
The Energy Saving Trust has told the Treasury that energy efficiency and electrification can cut household bills, opposing new energy bill levies and backing National Infrastructure Bank support for home upgrades.
Gas System in Transition consultation closes
The government's Gas System in Transition consultation on gas infrastructure and supply security closed on 18 February 2026, the first step in a programme to manage long-term gas security of supply.
Assessment period for the first 2026 price cap ends
The assessment window for the energy price cap that takes effect on 1 April 2026 closed on 17 February 2026, meaning later wholesale market movements will not feed into the level Ofgem announces.
RPC gives red rating to Future Homes and Buildings Standards impact assessments
The Regulatory Policy Committee rated the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government's impact assessments for the Future Homes and Buildings Standards as red, meaning not fit for purpose.
Energy Systems Catapult responds to DESNZ energy smart appliances consultation
Energy Systems Catapult has published its response to the government's consultation on first phase energy smart appliance regulations, calling for definitions that can adapt as technology changes.
Government response to WHD cost recovery consultation published
The government has confirmed that energy suppliers should recover Warm Home Discount costs from the unit rate for electricity and gas from 1 April 2026, rather than the standing charge.
Home Energy Model launch delayed and will not coincide with Future Homes Standard
The government has delayed the launch of the Home Energy Model so it will not arrive with the Future Homes Standard, leaving SAP 10.3 as the sole approved methodology at first.
Energy Ombudsman warns of increase in scam emails impersonating it and suppliers
The Energy Ombudsman has published guidance on a rise in fraudulent emails that impersonate it and some suppliers, telling recipients a complaint has been reviewed and pressing them to complete forms.
BEAMA publishes response to Energy Smart Appliance Regulations consultation
BEAMA has responded to all five sections of the DESNZ consultation on Energy Smart Appliance Regulations, raising concerns over timelines, metering, cyber security and randomised delay.
Citizens Advice responds to DESNZ consultation on Phase 1 Energy Smart Appliances regulations
Citizens Advice has published a broadly supportive response to the government's consultation on first phase Energy Smart Appliances regulations, setting conditions on accessibility, accountability, interoperability and transparency.
Oil heated homes reach 12,000 consultation submissions
OFTEC reports more than 12,000 submissions from oil heated homes to the government's Alternative Clean Heating consultation, with days left before it closes.
Domestic battery installations resume under WH:SHF
Domestic battery installations alongside solar panels have resumed under the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund from 2 February 2026, after an interim solution was developed to fill a gap in product standards.
Outreach to extend to all MCS certified installations under redeveloped installer Scheme
MCS will contact every household that receives an MCS certified installation, across all technologies and funding routes, as its redeveloped installer Scheme rolls out through 2026 and into 2027.
UK government announces consultation on expanding permitted development for heat pumps
Nesta has welcomed a UK government plan to consult this year on widening permitted development rights for heat pumps, as its research sets out the delays and costs households face.
Ofgem announced a one-year pilot of lower standing charges starting in April 2026, later put back to June 2026
Ofgem will pilot lower standing charges from June 2026, offered first by four large suppliers with a cap on how many customers can sign up.