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

Reforming the Right to Buy – Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government

Government state: “Right to Buy is an integral way for social tenants to get on the property ladder; many of whom may not otherwise be able to access home ownership. However, reform of Right to Buy is essential to better protect much-needed social housing stock, boost council capacity and build more social homes than we lose, supporting the government’s commitment to deliver the biggest increase in social and affordable housebuilding in a generation.”

The consultation follows the reduction in maximum Right to Buy cash discounts, which was announced at Autumn Budget 2024, and asks for views on:

• the qualifying criteria for tenants
• initial and maximum discounts as a percentage of the property value
• which types of properties should be exempted under the scheme
• whether there should be increased restrictions on properties after sale
• the replacement of homes sold under the Right to Buy
• rules governing the use of Right to Buy receipts and how these could be simplified

This consultation closes on 15 January 2025.

Reforming the Right to Buy - GOV.UK

Enabling remote attendance and proxy voting at local authority meetings – Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government

This consultation seeks views on the detail and practical implications of allowing remote and hybrid attendance at local authority meetings.

It also tests views on the possible introduction of proxy voting for those occasions when an elected member, due to personal circumstances, may be unable to attend even remotely. For example, during maternity, paternity or adoption leave.

This consultation closes on 19 December 2024.

Enabling remote attendance and proxy voting at local authority meetings - GOV.UK

Consultation on future social housing rent policy – Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government

Government are seeking views on a draft Direction to the Regulator of Social Housing. The Direction would require the Regulator to set a regulatory standard on rents that will apply to Registered Providers of social housing.

This encompasses:

• Private Registered Providers (including housing associations that are Private Registered Providers)
• Local authority Registered Providers (such as local authorities with retained housing stock)

Section 197 of the Housing and Regeneration Act 2008 gives the Secretary of State the power to direct the Regulator of Social Housing to set a standard on rent, and about the content of that standard. Once issued, a Direction is binding on the Regulator. Government propose to use this power to issue a new Direction to the Regulator on rent. The proposed Direction has been published alongside this consultation.

This consultation closes on 23 December 2024.

Consultation on future social housing rent policy - GOV.UK

Energy Company Obligation 4 and the Great British Insulation Scheme: mid-scheme changes – Department for Energy Security & Net Zero

Government are seeking views on proposed changes to the Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) scheme and Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS).

Specifically, they are seeking views on:

• mid-scheme updates to the current Energy Company Obligation scheme (ECO4) and Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS)
• the introduction to both schemes of a voluntary Pay-For-Performance mechanism (PFP)

PFP would reward participating suppliers for delivering retrofits with additional monitoring, thereby driving higher quality retrofits.

This consultation closes on 12 December 2024.

Energy Company Obligation 4 and the Great British Insulation Scheme: mid-scheme changes - GOV.UK

Heat networks regulation: implementing consumer protections – Department for Energy Security & Net Zero

This joint DESNZ / Ofgem consultation seeks views and provides updates on consumer protection requirements around:

• the scope of regulation
• how protections will work for non-domestic and small-medium size enterprise consumers
• overarching standards of conduct
• obligations for fair pricing
• protecting vulnerable consumers
• step-in proposals
• approaches to segmentation

This consultation closes on 31 January 2025.

Heat networks regulation: implementing consumer protections - GOV.UK

Local Government Pension Scheme (England and Wales): Fit for the future – Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government

A consultation on a package of proposed reforms to the structure, investments, and governance of the Local Government Pension Scheme.

This consultation seeks views on proposals designed to strengthen the management of Local Government Pension Scheme investments. The proposals relate to the topics of asset pooling, local and regional investment, and scheme governance.

This consultation closes on 16 January 2025.

Local Government Pension Scheme (England and Wales): Fit for the future - GOV.UK