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

CURRENT CONSULTATIONS:

Single-use plastic: banning the supply of commonly littered single-use plastic items – Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Defra wants to know what you think about a plan to ban the supply of single-use plastic. This includes:

• plates
• cutlery
• balloon sticks
• expanded and extruded polystyrene food and drink containers

You can also contribute to Defra’s call for evidence on commonly littered single-use plastic items.

Both these consultations close on 12 February 2021.

Single-use plastic: banning the supply of commonly littered single-use plastic items - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Phasing out the installation of fossil fuel heating in homes off the gas grid – Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy

This consultation sets out proposals to phase out the installation of high carbon fossil fuel heating systems in homes off the gas grid, as committed to in the 2017 Clean Growth Strategy.

Government are seeking views on their proposals to introduce targeted regulations that will drive decarbonisation of heat in off gas grid homes, including:

• an end to new fossil fuel heating installations in homes off the gas grid from 2026
• a ‘heat pump first’ approach to replacement heating systems in homes off the gas grid from 2026
• requiring high performing replacement heating systems where heat pumps cannot reasonably practicably be installed

They would like views from the heating industry, consumers, and those with a wider interest in the UK’s net zero ambition.

This consultation closes on 12 January 2022.

Phasing out the installation of fossil fuel heating in homes off the gas grid - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Phasing out the installation of fossil fuel heating systems in businesses and public buildings off the gas grid – Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy

This consultation sets out proposals to phase out fossil fuel heating system installations in businesses and public buildings off the gas grid during the 2020s, as committed to in the 2017 Clean Growth Strategy.

It seeks views on:

• using the natural replacement cycle as the trigger for phasing out fossil fuel heating systems
• introducing the policy using a phased approach with the largest buildings first, followed by smaller buildings
• taking a heat pump first approach to the replacement of those fossil fuel systems
• allowing the limited use of alternative low carbon systems where a heat pump is not suitable
• the cost trajectory for the installation of these low carbon technologies and the ability of businesses to pay.

This consultation closes on 12 January 2022.

Phasing out the installation of fossil fuel heating systems in businesses and public buildings off the gas grid - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Enabling or requiring hydrogen-ready industrial boiler equipment: call for evidence – Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy

Government state: “Hydrogen-ready industrial boilers have the potential to help industry decarbonise and kick start the UK hydrogen economy. They can run on fossil fuels today but are designed for subsequent conversion to hydrogen, enabling industry to transition to a low carbon future.”

The call for evidence covers these main areas:

• how hydrogen-ready should be defined
• whether hydrogen-ready boiler equipment would enable cheaper and?faster fuel switching
• whether government should take action to encourage?hydrogen-ready?boiler?equipment.
• the role of the supply chain and how best to maximise the?economic opportunities for the UK

This consultation closes on 14 March 2022.

Enabling or requiring hydrogen-ready industrial boiler equipment: call for evidence - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

New build developments consultation: delivering gigabit-capable connections – Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport

The government state they are “committed to delivering nationwide gigabit connectivity as soon as possible. Today, 65% of premises can access gigabit-capable networks, up from just one in ten in November 2019, and by 2025 the government is targeting a minimum of 85% gigabit-capable coverage.

“It is a priority to ensure that new homes are built with fast, reliable and resilient broadband. We are consulting on proposed legislation that will ensure that the construction of new homes includes requirements for the installation of gigabit infrastructure and connectivity. This will give more people the connectivity they want and need without costly and disruptive installation work after the home is built. Fast and reliable broadband will help owners of new homes throughout the country to live and work more flexibly and will help to support social inclusion and growth.

“Our proposed amendments to the Building Regulations 2010 will ensure that the installation of gigabit broadband connectivity is always considered during the construction process of new homes.”

This technical consultation will close for responses on 28 February 2022.

New build developments consultation: delivering gigabit-capable connections - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Provisional local government finance settlement 2022 to 2023: consultation – Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities

This consultation seeks views on proposals for the local government finance settlement for 2022 to 2023. The consultation closes on 13 January 2022.

Provisional local government finance settlement 2022 to 2023: consultation - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Business Rates Review: technical consultation – Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities & HM Treasury

This consultation sets out how the government intends to give effect to a number of measures arising from its recent business rates review. It covers the following areas:

1. Measures to enable more frequent revaluations
2. Improvement relief
3. Support for investment in green plant and machinery
4. Other administrative changes

This consultation closes on 22 February 2022.

Business Rates Review: technical consultation - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Whole industry strategic plan for rail: call for evidence – Department for Transport

This call for evidence, launched by the seeks responses from all those with an interest in the long-term future of the railway. The government is inviting views from within and beyond the rail sector, to inform the development of a whole industry strategic plan, the first 30-year strategy.

The Secretary of State for Transport commissioned the whole industry strategic plan. It will set 5 long-term objectives for the railway, focusing on:

• meeting customers’ needs
• delivering financial sustainability
• contributing to long-term economic growth
• levelling up and connectivity
• delivering environmental sustainability

This consultation closes on 4 February 2022.

Whole industry strategic plan for rail: call for evidence - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)