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

Locally-led Development Corporation consultation – Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities

Government are seeking views on draft regulations on how an oversight authority is to oversee a Locally-led Urban Development Corporation following designation by the Secretary of State. In addition, they are also asking for comments on updating the New Towns Act 1981 (Local Authority Oversight) Regulations 2018 in relation to Locally-led New Town Development Corporations.

This consultation closes on 5 June 2024.

Locally-led Development Corporation consultation - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Adapting the UK’s transport system to the impacts of climate change – Department for Transport

This consultation seeks views on the transport adaptation strategy, which includes actions and policies to enhance climate adaptation planning and action across the sector.

The transport adaptation strategy includes actions and policies to:

• enhance climate adaptation planning across the sector
• ensure these plans are achieved
• lead to improved climate resilience in the transport system

These policies will be developed over the next 5 years to enable progress ahead of the fourth National Adaptation Programme.

Government are seeking views on:

• the policies included in the strategy and whether you support them
• how effective you believe the policies will be at enhancing adaptation action taken by transport infrastructure organisations
• what more you think government could do to adapt to the impacts of climate change on transport infrastructure

This consultation closes on 31 May 2024.

Adapting the UK’s transport system to the impacts of climate change - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

NHS Constitution: 10 year review – Department of Health & Social Care

This consultation is seeking views on proposed changes to the NHS Constitution.

Government state: “The NHS Constitution sets out the principles, values, rights and pledges underpinning the NHS as a comprehensive health service, free at the point of use for all who need it.

“It empowers patients, staff and the public to know and exercise their rights in order to help drive improvements in quality, efficiency and responsiveness throughout the NHS. It brings together, in one place, existing rights as set out in various legislation. It does not, in itself, create new rights or replace existing ones.

“We are now seeking views on how best to change the NHS Constitution. This consultation is part of the process to complete the 10 year review, as legislated for in the Health Act 2009.

“The NHS Constitution applies to all those who use its many services, its staff and providers. During this consultation exercise, we want to hear from people across this broad spectrum, to help us define and enshrine the values of the NHS for years to come.”

This consultation closes on 25 June 2024.

NHS Constitution: 10 year review - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Changes to regulations relating to the Care Quality Commission – Department of Health & Social Care

The government seeks views on proposals to amend regulations relating to the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

The government is seeking views on removing the expiry date of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 and replacing it with a 5-yearly review.

It is also seeking views on proposed amendments to the CQC regulations relating to:

• treatment (not first aid) in a sports ground or gymnasium
• temporary arrangements to deliver medical care (not first aid) at sporting or cultural events
• introducing a new requirement to notify CQC of the use of restraint, segregation and seclusion in mental health units

This consultation closes on 21 June 2024.

Changes to regulations relating to the Care Quality Commission - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Modernising support for independent living: the health and disability green paper – Department for Work & Pensions

This consultation seeks views on the approaches government should consider around modernising the welfare system for people with disabilities and health conditions.

Government state: “We want to ensure that we have a welfare system that is fit for the future, a system that supports work for people who can, provides a safety net for people who need it, and that is fair to the taxpayer. This consultation seeks views on whether we should make fundamental changes to how we support disabled people and people with health conditions, and whether our system delivers the right support to people most in need.”

This consultation closes on 22 July 2024.

Modernising support for independent living: the health and disability green paper - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Delivering a smart and secure electricity system: implementation – Department for Energy Security & Net Zero

Government are seeking views on new standards for energy smart appliances and organisations which provide demand side response services or can remotely control electrical load.

Government state: “The Smart Secure Electricity Systems (SSES) Programme is designed to create the technical and regulatory frameworks to enable the untapped flexibility from small scale devices, such as domestic electric vehicle charge points and heat pumps. It should contribute to electricity system decarbonisation in a way that protects consumers and the electricity system.”

This consultation closes on 11 June 2024.

Delivering a smart and secure electricity system: implementation - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Faith school designation reforms – Department for Education

Government are seeking views on religious designation reforms for new special academies and new and existing free schools.

This consultation is seeking views on 2 policy proposals:

• to remove the 50% cap on faith admissions, with the aim of enabling all faith groups to apply to open new faith free schools
• to allow new special academies and existing special academies with a recognised faith ethos to apply to be designated as having a religious character

This consultation closes on 20 June 2024.

Faith school designation reforms - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)