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

Consultation on reforms to social housing allocations – Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities

This consultation seeks views from local housing authorities, social housing landlords, tenants and applicants on proposals to amend social housing allocation rules.

Government state: “Social housing is a scarce resource and therefore it must be allocated fairly. We are proposing changes to the allocations system so that it prioritises those who have a strong connection to the UK, their local area and those that do not disrupt communities through anti-social behaviour or terrorism offences.”

This consultation closes on 26 March 2024.

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/consultation-on-reforms-to-social-housing-allocations

Awaab’s Law: Consultation on timescales for repairs in the social rented sector – Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities

A consultation on new requirements under ‘Awaab’s Law’, including timescales for repairs in the social rented sector.

Government state: “Everyone deserves to live in a home that is decent, safe and secure. Awaab’s Law, which was introduced in the landmark Social Housing Regulation Act 2023, requires landlords to investigate and fix reported health hazards within specified timeframes. The primary purpose of this consultation is to set those timeframes, and government is seeking views from across the sector. The new rules will form part of a tenancy agreement, so that tenants can hold landlords to account by law if they fail to provide a decent home. This is part of a package of publications relating to social housing quality, forming a crucial part of the government’s action to eradicate hazards from social homes and improve standards across the sector.”

This consultation closes on 5 March 2024.

Awaab’s Law: Consultation on timescales for repairs in the social rented sector - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Building Safety Levy: technical consultation – Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities

??The Building Safety Act 2022 introduced powers to impose a levy on certain new residential buildings in England, to raise revenue to be spent on building safety.

?The government carried out a consultation on the levy which closed on 7 February 2023. The results of that consultation have been published online. Feedback from that consultation was used to develop the proposals outlined in this consultation, which provides a greater level of detail on the operation of the levy. This consultation covers:

• ?methodology for levy calculation
• the collection process
• disputes and appeals
• further exclusions

This consultation closes on 20 February 2024.

??Building Safety Levy: technical consultation ? - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Approach to siting new nuclear power stations beyond 2025 – Department for Energy Security & Net Zero

The purpose of this consultation is to begin the process towards designating a new Nuclear National Policy Statement, applicable to nuclear power stations expected to deploy beyond 2025.

Government have proposed some material updates to the existing policy for siting nuclear power stations have been proposed and would like views on the changes ahead of finalising the policy.

This consultation focuses on the overall policy approach before a further formal consultation on the new draft National Policy Statement.

This consultation closes on 10 March 2024.

Approach to siting new nuclear power stations beyond 2025 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

The Future Homes and Buildings Standards: 2023 consultation – Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities

The government is “committed to improving the energy efficiency and reducing the carbon emissions of new homes and non-domestic buildings.”

Energy efficiency requirements for new homes and non-domestic buildings are set by Part L (Conservation of Fuel and Power) and Part 6 of the Building Regulations 2010 (“the Building Regulations”). This consultation sets out government plans for achieving the Future Homes Standard and Future Buildings Standard. It sets out technical proposals for changes to the Building Regulations, the associated Approved Document guidance and calculation methods.

The majority of this consultation has regard to new homes and non-domestic buildings. A small number of sections are also relevant to existing buildings.

This consultation closes on 6 March 2024.

The Future Homes and Buildings Standards: 2023 consultation - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Proposals for heat network zoning 2023 – Department for Energy Security & Net Zero

Government is seeking views on proposals for heat network zoning in England, to attract investment and give local communities access to cheaper, greener heat sooner.

This consultation provides detail on the role of central and local government, zone identification, requirements in zones (consumer protections, emissions, requirements to connect) and zone delivery (selecting developers and ensuring construction). 

Under zoning, central and local government will work with industry and local stakeholders to identify and designate zones where heat networks are the lowest-cost solution to decarbonising heat.

This consultation closes on 26 February 2024.

Proposals for heat network zoning 2023 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Rapid charging fund: scheme design – Department for Transport

The rapid charging fund (RCF) aims to enable a comprehensive ultra-rapid charging network by funding prohibitively expensive grid connections. Views from this consultation will help design the fund.

This consultation focuses on the design of the rapid charging fund (RCF).

Government are keen to hear from anyone with an interest in the future of electric vehicle charging infrastructure, but especially from:

• motorway service area operators
• chargepoint operators
• electricity distribution organisations
• motoring groups
• fleet providers
• businesses operating on the strategic road network (SRN)
• manufacturers in related industries

This consultation closes on 14 February 2024.

Rapid charging fund: scheme design - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

2003 UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage – Department for Culture, Media & Sport

The UK is planning to ratify the UNESCO 2003 Convention for Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. Government is launching a public consultation on the initial stages of implementation, focusing on the defining and identifying intangible cultural heritage in the UK.

This consultation closes on 29 February 2024.

2003 UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Gender questioning children: draft schools and colleges guidance – Department for Education

Government is seeking views on their draft non-statutory guidance for schools and colleges about children questioning their gender.

The proposed draft aims to provide guidance and practical support for schools and colleges, including:

• supporting children who are questioning their gender
• protecting children from bullying or abuse
• maintaining child safety and wellbeing

This consultation closes on 12 March 2024.

Gender questioning children: draft schools and colleges guidance - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Child and family social workers: agency rules statutory guidance – Department for Education

The child and family social worker workforce government consultation response, published in October 2023, set out the national rules on local authority use of agency child and family social workers.

This new consultation invites views on the technical detail of the agency rules that will become statutory guidance for local authorities.

This consultation closes on 28 February 2024.

Child and family social workers: agency rules statutory guidance - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)