The Home Energy Efficiency Schemes (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2024

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations amend the Home Energy Efficiency Schemes (Wales) Regulations 2011 (S.I. 2011/656) (W. 94) (“the principal Regulations”) and are made by the Welsh Ministers in exercise of their powers under section 15 of the Social Security Act 1990 (c. 27).

Regulation 3 amends the definitions in the principal Regulations. It adds new definitions for “health eligibility criteria”, “households below average income report” and “lower income household”. It also amends the definition of “means-tested benefits” to include “income-based jobseeker’s allowance”.

Regulation 5 amends the eligibility criteria for works applications under the principal Regulations. It extends eligibility to applicants from a lower income household and, where the applicant receives means-tested benefits or is from a lower income household, to dwellings with an asset rating of 68 or less (an energy performance certificate rating of D or less) where the applicant or an occupant of the dwelling satisfies the health eligibility criteria. It also amends the principal Regulations to enable more than one successful works application to be made in relation to a dwelling.

Regulation 6 corrects a drafting error in the principal Regulations.

Regulation 7 makes transitional provision in respect of works applications made but not yet determined or made and approved prior to the coming into force of these Regulations.

The Welsh Ministers’ Code of Practice on the carrying out of Regulatory Impact Assessments was considered in relation to these Regulations. A regulatory impact assessment has been prepared on the likely costs and benefits of complying with these Regulations. A copy can be obtained from Welsh Government, Cathays Park, Cardiff, CF10 3NQ and is published on www.gov.wales.