Current Government Consultations - April 2025

A brief summary of current government consultations of potential interest to RSN members. This is not intended as an exhaustive list of all relevant consultations.

- Download a printable version of the Government Consultations here

Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working Green Paper – Department for Work & Pensions

This consultation seeks views on the approaches government should consider around reform of the health and disability benefits system and employment support.

This consultation closes on 30 June 2025.

Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working Green Paper - GOV.UK

Narrowing the digital divide in schools and colleges – Department for Education

This consultation outlines the Department for Education’s long-term vision for narrowing the digital divide in schools and colleges, focusing on proposals for the future of the digital and technology standards. It covers 3 key aims:

• prioritising essential technology infrastructure
• managing technology risks
• harnessing technology opportunities

This consultation closes on 23 May 2025.

Narrowing the digital divide in schools and colleges - GOV.UK

A Railway fit for Britain’s Future – Department for Transport

Government are seeking views on new policies to be included in the forthcoming Railways Bill, which will enable the establishment of Great British Railways (GBR). GBR will be a single directing mind that will run our rail infrastructure and passenger services in the public interest.

The overall aim of these proposed reforms is “to provide a railway that works better for both passengers and taxpayers across Great Britain.” They also include:

• the establishment of a new passenger watchdog
• reform of fares and online retail of tickets
• a new statutory role for devolved leaders in governing, managing, planning and developing the rail network
• streamlining processes and reducing regulatory burdens to empower GBR to to deliver the best service for railway users
• ensuring the private sector continues to play a key role, including a statutory duty for GBR to promote rail freight

This consultation closes on 15 April 2025.

A railway fit for Britain's future - GOV.UK

Supported Housing Regulation consultation – Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government

This consultation seeks views on plans to implement measures set out in the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act 2023. The government is proposing to introduce a locally led licensing regime for supported housing across England, and new National Supported Housing Standards for the support provided.

The government is also consulting on changes to Housing Benefit Regulations. The intention of the reforms is to ensure that supported housing is good quality and delivers value for money for the taxpayer.

The consultation will inform the drafting of licensing regulations which will also be consulted on later this year, together with the changes to Housing Benefit Regulations.

This consultation closes on 15 May 2025.

Supported Housing regulation: consultation - GOV.UK

Land Use in England – Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs

Government state: “England has limited land with growing demands being made of it. This consultation explores the land use changes implied by commitments to restore nature, support food production, improve climate resilience and deliver new housing and infrastructure.

“It seeks views on the type and scale of land use changes that might be needed, as well as the actions government could take to support this. This will help to foster a public discussion about how land can better support government’s plan for change.”

This consultation closes on 25 April 2025.

Land use in England - GOV.UK

Review of the Fuel Poverty Strategy – Department for Energy Security & Net Zero

Fuel poverty is defined in the Warm Homes and Energy Conservation Act 2000 as: “a person [who] is a member of a household living on a lower income in a home which cannot be kept warm at reasonable cost.”

In 2014, the government introduced in legislation a fuel poverty target for England to improve as many fuel poor homes as is reasonably practicable to a minimum energy efficiency rating of Band C, by the end of 2030.

As part of the Warm Homes Plan, government are updating the fuel poverty strategy for England. Government has reviewed the 2021 fuel poverty strategy and concluded that a new strategy is required to support fuel poor households and lower bills.

The government is now consulting on a new strategy. This consultation is seeking views on:

• an updated policy plan to support progress towards the fuel poverty target and to help vulnerable households
• the future role of the fuel poverty target
• how fuel poverty is measured

This consultation closes on 4 April 2025.

Review of the Fuel Poverty Strategy - GOV.UK

Improving the energy performance of privately rented homes: 2025 update – Department for Energy Security & Net Zero

Government is proposing to raise the minimum energy efficiency standard required of privately rented homes in England and Wales to the equivalent of Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) C by 2030.

The proposed policy aims to deliver significant energy bill and carbon emissions savings in the sector to deliver against government’s statutory 2030 fuel poverty target and carbon budgets.

This consultation follows on from a consultation in 2020, with updated proposals to account for new and relevant considerations, including proposed reforms to EPCs.

Government have published a consultation stage options assessment alongside this consultation to provide analysis on the estimated impact of the policy on the sector.

This consultation closes on 2 May 2025.

Improving the energy performance of privately rented homes: 2025 update - GOV.UK

School accountability reform – department for Education

Government are seeking views on:

• school accountability principles
• school profiles - a new digital service which provides information about schools
• a stronger approach to school improvement through intervention 

In parallel, Ofsted is consulting on inspection reform and report cards.

Government would encourage respondents to look carefully at both consultations.

This consultation closes on 28 April 2025.

School accountability reform - GOV.UK