Consultation submissions
Fuel Poverty Action uses a diversity of tactics to fight for affordable and sustainable energy for all. One tactic is to respond to official consultations on issues we care about, where we feel we have an important message or want to channel the experiences and perspectives of the people and organisations we are in touch with.
Sometimes we coordinate digital actions to encourage others to send their own letters or submissions, to build the pressure for change.
This is a list of consultations we have responded to since 2016, in case they are of use to our friends. Submissions relating to heat networks are listed below.
General issues
Consumer Vulnerability Strategy – November 2024
Standing Charges Options – September 2024
Operating Costs – June 2024
Future of Price Protection – May 2024
Standing Charges call for input – January 2024
Hydrogen Blending – October 2023
PPM Rules and Protections – March 2023
Energy (Oil and Gas) Profits Levy Bill – June 2022
Improving the energy performance of privately rented homes – January 2021
Consultation on NHS (dis)integration – January 2021
BEIS Consultation on the WarmHome Discount Scheme 2021/22 – November 2020
Amendments to Fire Safety Order 2005 in response to Grenfell Tower fire – October 2020
See here for further details on the consultation.
Self-disconnection and self-rationing final proposals – August 2020
Future Support for Low Carbon Heat – July 2020
Labour Green Recovery – June 2020
Fuel Poverty Strategy for England – September 2019
London Plan Matter M67 – Sustainable Infrastructure – January 2019
UK Government green paper – “A new deal for social housing” – November 2018
Drax Power Station Proposal – August 2018
Drax power station has applied to the Planning Inspectorate for permission to replace its two remaining coal-fired units with much larger ones burning fossil (natural) gas.
Energy Company Obligation proposals – July 2018
2018 Draft New London Plan – March 2018
‘Housing for the many, Labour’s review of social housing’ – January 2018
Mayor’s draft London Environment Strategy – November 2017
Mayor’s draft Fuel Poverty Action Plan for London – November 2017
Ofgem Consultation on Safeguarding Cap – November 2017
Coal Phase-out – February 2017
City for All Londoners – December 2016
CMA Proposal on Prepayment Meter Tariffs – November 2016
In October 2016 the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) announced plans to impose a cap on the price of energy for prepayment meter (PPM) customers, who get a raw deal compared to often more financial secure folks paying by direct debit. Our response reaffirmed the plight of PPM customers, endorsed by 17 other organisations, and included testimonies submitted to us about the real life results of PPMs.
Heat networks
Heat Networks Regulation: Implementing consumer protections – January 2025
Heat networks zoning regulation – February 2024
Heat networks regulation – consumer protection – October 2023
Heat Trust metering and billing and GPS – November 2020
Our responses were reflected in the Heat Trust’s report on the consultation, which can be read here. Following FPA’s contribution, the Heat Trust rules, which now apply only to those heat networks that voluntarily sign up, are likely to become a foundation for new regulations for all heat providers. FPA responded to a further consultation from Heat Trust in September 2021, which can be read here.
Heat Networks: Building a Market Framework – June 2020
People from many District Heating housing estates, and some experts from inside the industry as well, contributed to FPA’s response to the government’s consultation on a “Market Framework” for DIstrict Heating. This BEIS inquiry prominently included questions about how to regulate the industry to protect consumers.
“Sustainable infrastructure: housing & heating” Examination of the London Plan – 29 March 2019
The session took for granted the seriousness of the climate crisis and a determination to decarbonise. Its focus was on heating — one of the hardest areas to make green — and the Mayor’s favoured option: District Heating. The EiP assembled formidable expertise, yet there had been no process for engaging grassroots participants, and no expectation that DH users’ experience would be relevant to policy decisions, at the EiP stage, or earlier.
Heat Networks Market Study Statement of Scope – January 2018
Heat Network Investment Project (HNIP) – August 2016
