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

Proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the planning system – Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government

This consultation seeks views on the government’s proposed approach to revising the National Planning Policy Framework “in order to achieve sustainable growth in our planning system.”

Government are also seeking views on a series of wider policy proposals in relation to increasing planning fees, local plan intervention criteria and appropriate thresholds for certain Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects.

This consultation closes on 24 September 2024.

Proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the planning system - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Water and sewerage: changes to the service standards – Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Government want to know what you think about changes to the Guaranteed Standards Scheme (GSS). These changes aim to improve baseline customer service standards and protection in the water and sewerage sector. 

The changes include:

• at least doubling the minimum payments for households and businesses when companies fail to meet the GSS standards
• expanding the standards of service to which customers are entitled to – they will cover a wider range of circumstances, such as when ‘boil water’ notices are issued

This consultation closes on 7 October 2024.

Water and sewerage: changes to the service standards - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Child Maintenance: Improving the collection and transfer of payments – Department for Work & Pensions

The aim of this consultation is to seek views on how the Child Maintenance Service collects and transfers maintenance payments to ensure children receive the maintenance they are entitled to and parents are appropriately supported when using the scheme. 

This document includes:

• information on how the Child Maintenance Service currently operates and identifies areas for improvement
• a set of policy consultation questions on:
• how the Child Maintenance Service can better encourage family-based arrangements
• a proposal to remove the direct pay service and maintain small fees for the use of the new service
• how the Child Maintenance Service can better support victims and survivors of domestic abuse

This consultation is open to voluntary and community sector organisations, as well as Child Maintenance Service customers and members of the general public.

This consultation closes on 30 September 2024.

Child Maintenance: Improving the collection and transfer of payments - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)