NEWS

National news and updates will be posted here, please see the drop down list for topics or click on the link below

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/what-does-the-autumn-budget-mean-for-your-energy-bills

UK budget 2025: Key climate and energy announcements – Carbon Brief

Budget brings cut to bills but “no one can warm their home with headlines”

https://www.e3g.org/news/uk-autumn-budget-2025-e3g-reaction

COP30 summaries on the outcomes COP30: Key outcomes for food, forests, land and nature at the UN climate talks in Belém – Carbon Brief and https://www.e3g.org/news/e3g-cop30-insights/

AWAAB’S LAW

Awaab’s Law
On 27 October, Hazards in Social Housing (Prescribed Requirements) (England) Regulations 2025, also known as Awaab’s Law, comes into effect for social housing.
Background – Awaab Ishak, 2 years old, died in December 2020. It was later determined that his death was caused by prolonged exposure to black mould. Awaab’s family had complained to their social housing provider but was told to paint over the mould.
Social housing landlords will have to address all emergency hazards and damp and mould hazards that pose significant risks to tenants, within a set timeframe. There are mandatory requirements, but other aspects can be up to individual interpretation and internal guidelines.
These regulations cover nearly all social housing (either owned by housing associations or councils), unless the tenancy agreement is excepted from Section 11 (unlikely, but types of tenancies not covered can be found here – Repairs under section 11 – Shelter England). Some types of temporary and supported accommodation are also included in Awaab’s law if the tenancy is part of social housing, let by a registered provider.
Awaab’s law does not cover hazards that were caused due to damage by the tenant, in breach of their contract, e.g. blocking ventilation or removing internal doors. It also doesn’t cover issues that are outside the landlord’s scope to repair, e.g. issues caused by neighbouring properties, communal areas, or communal heating systems (unless owned by the landlord).
Awaab’s law applies to all the hazards laid out in the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HousingHealthSafety.qxd), but takes a more person-centred approach so hazards may be deemed more urgent due to a tenant’s circumstances.

These are the mandatory requirements:
• Investigate any potential emergency hazards and, if the investigation confirms emergency hazards, undertake relevant safety work as soon as reasonably practicable. The investigation and the work must both take place within 24 hours of becoming aware of the hazard.
• Investigate any potential significant hazards within 10 working days of becoming aware of them.
• Produce a written summary of investigation findings and provide this to the tenant within 3 working days of the conclusion of the investigation.
• Undertake relevant safety work within 5 working days of the investigation concluding, if the investigation identifies a significant hazard.
• Begin, or take steps to begin, any supplementary preventative work to prevent a significant or emergency hazard recurring within 5 working days of the investigation concluding, if the investigation identifies a significant or emergency hazard. If steps cannot be taken to begin work in 5 working days this must be done as soon as possible, and work must be physically started within 12 weeks.
• Satisfactorily complete supplementary preventative works within a reasonable time period.
• Secure the provision of suitable alternative accommodation for the household, at the social landlord’s expense, if relevant safety work cannot be completed within specified timeframes.
• Keep the tenant updated throughout the process and provide information on how to keep safe.

A ‘significant risk’ is one that poses a significant risk of harm to the health or safety of the occupier. The landlord will need to consider the personal circumstances of the tenants including age, mental and physical health. Tenants do not need to provide medical evidence to the landlord.
An ‘emergency hazard’ is one that poses an immediate and significant risk of harm to the health and safety of the occupier. This could include broken boilers, significant leaks, exposed electricals, gas/carbon monoxide leaks, etc. The landlord will again need to consider the personal circumstances of the tenants as well as general factors (e.g. a broken boiler in the winter may be more urgent).
Complaints of social landlords in breach of Awaab’s Law should be made through the Housing Ombudsman (or other dispute resolution platform).
More information can be found here: Awaab’s Law: Guidance for social landlords – Timeframes for repairs in the social rented sector – GOV.UK

September 2025

NEA: We have announced our annual conference dates for early 2026. It’s our 45th birthday celebration in February so we’d love for people to join us. Annual Conference 2026 – National Energy Action (NEA)

Annual Conference 2026 – National Energy Action (NEA) National Energy Action’s annual conference will take place on Monday 9 February to Wednesday 11 February 2026, at The Glasshouse International Centre for Music on Newcastle/Gateshead Quayside. www.nea.org.uk

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