Current Government Consultations - May 2025

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 financial thresholds in charity law – Department for Culture, Media & Sport

This consultation seeks views on the financial thresholds in charity law and whether or not to increase them in line with inflation.

The Law Commission’s 2017 report ‘Technical Issues in Charity Law’ recommended that the government periodically review all financial thresholds in the Charities Act 2011 (“the 2011 Act”) with a view to increasing them in line with inflation. The government accepted this recommendation, and committed to conducting a review at least every 10 years, subject to resources.

This consultation closes on 12 June 2025.

Consultation on financial thresholds in charity law - GOV.UK

Boiler Upgrade Scheme and certification requirements for clean heat schemes – Department for Energy Security & Net Zero

Part 1 of this consultation seeks views on proposed amendments to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) which provides grants to support property owners in transitioning to low carbon heating (LCH) systems.

The proposed changes are designed to increase access, stimulate further demand and enhance existing consumer protections. They include:

• allowing new heat pump purchase options alongside the BUS grant
• expanding eligibility for LCH technologies
• reviewing potential barriers to the consumer installation journey
• enhancing consumer protection by simplifying certification requirements and requiring installers to deduct grants upfront

Part 2 seeks views on the government’s proposal to:

• require the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) as the sole certification scheme for clean heat installations delivered through:
• BUS
• Energy Company Obligation 4
• Warm Homes: Local Grant
• Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund
• remove the option for multiple certification schemes to certify installations

This consultation closes on 11 June 2025.

Boiler Upgrade Scheme and certification requirements for clean heat schemes - GOV.UK

Planning for new energy infrastructure: 2025 revisions to National Policy Statements – Department for Energy Security & Net Zero

The energy National Policy Statements (NPS) set out the government’s policy for the delivery of energy infrastructure and provide the legal framework for planning decisions. They were last updated and published in 2024.

Government have made draft updates to:

• EN-1: Overarching National Policy Statement for energy
• EN-3: National Policy Statement for renewable energy infrastructure
• EN-5: National Policy Statement for electricity networks infrastructure

This consultation closes on 29 May 2025.

Planning for new energy infrastructure: 2025 revisions to National Policy Statements - GOV.UK

Local authority funding reform – Resetting the business rates retention system – Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government

This technical consultation seeks views on the approach to delivering a business rates reset, updating government’s assessment of how much business rates are available through updating business rates baselines.

It follows on from information set out in the December 2024 consultation on Local authority funding reform: objectives and principles.

This consultation closes on 2 June 2025.

Local authority funding reform – Resetting the business rates retention system - GOV.UK

Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working Green Paper – Department for Work & Pensions

This consultation seeks views on the approaches government should consider around reform of the health and disability benefits system and employment support.

This consultation closes on 30 June 2025.

Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working Green Paper - GOV.UK

Narrowing the digital divide in schools and colleges – Department for Education

This consultation outlines the Department for Education’s long-term vision for narrowing the digital divide in schools and colleges, focusing on proposals for the future of the digital and technology standards. It covers 3 key aims:

• prioritising essential technology infrastructure
• managing technology risks
• harnessing technology opportunities

This consultation closes on 23 May 2025.

Narrowing the digital divide in schools and colleges - GOV.UK

Supported Housing Regulation consultation – Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government

This consultation seeks views on plans to implement measures set out in the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act 2023. The government is proposing to introduce a locally led licensing regime for supported housing across England, and new National Supported Housing Standards for the support provided.

The government is also consulting on changes to Housing Benefit Regulations. The intention of the reforms is to ensure that supported housing is good quality and delivers value for money for the taxpayer.

The consultation will inform the drafting of licensing regulations which will also be consulted on later this year, together with the changes to Housing Benefit Regulations.

This consultation closes on 15 May 2025.

Supported Housing regulation: consultation - GOV.UK