The Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013 (Consumer Contracts Regs 2013), SI 2013/3134 apply where you enter into a retainer with a consumer client away from your premises. This Practice Note explains: • when the regulations apply • when your client is given cancellation rights by the regulations • how to comply with the regulations The Consumer Contracts Regs 2013 also apply where you do not meet the client at all before entering into a retainer. For more information see Practice Note: Distance contracts—law firms. The decision tree below will help you to decide whether: • the regulations apply at all and, if so • which parts of the regulations you will have to comply with ie provisions relating to off-premises contracts or distance contracts Workflow Flowchart: off premises contract from 13.06.2014 will help you determine whether you are entering into an off-premises contract and, if so, what information you need to provide to the client and when. Which clients do the regulations apply to? To have the benefit of cancellation rights under the Regulations:

Note that additional commentary on the issues discussed in this Practice Note in the context of the regulation, consenting and incentivisation of the net zero energy transition is available in the following textbook that we have published: Collinson and Hockman on Energy Law: Regulating, Consenting and Incentivising the Energy Transition. What is Ofgem? The Gas and Electricity Markets Authority (GEMA) regulates the energy system in Great Britain (GB), including the power and downstream onshore gas industries under the Utilities Act 2000 (UA 2000), as amended by the Electricity and Gas etc. (Amendment etc) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019, SI 2019/530. GEMA acts through (and so is often referred to as) the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem), a non-ministerial government department. In simple terms, Ofgem (acting on behalf of GEMA) is the energy regulator in GB. Its key role is to protect the interests of energy consumers. Ofgem is responsible for overseeing the licensing regimes in place across a number of industries in GB. Historically, Ofgem’s regulatory purview through these licensing regimes focused on (i) the generation, supply,

The Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem), the UK regulator for both gas and electricity.

Ofgem have announced from 1 April to 30 June 2024 the price for energy in a typical household using electricity and gas will go down to £1,690 per year, lower than the price cap set between 1 January to 31 March 2024 (£1,928), subject to Ofgem's trimonthly reviews. From 1 April 2024, Ofgem are further extending the ban on acquisition-tariffs which has been in place since April 2022 for another twelve months.

Ofgem and the Commission de Régulation de l'Energie (CRE), the French energy regulator, have issued a joint statement, clarifying the current position on opportunities for further electricity interconnection capacity to be built between France and the UK. Since 1986, the two countries have collaborated on electricity interconnection projects, with Ofgem and the CRE regularly evaluating the potential for new capacity. Both regulators have agreed to continue exploring development opportunities of approximately 1 GW capacity, with plans to publish an updated joint statement on regulatory positions by the end of October 2025.

Ofgem and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) have approved the National Energy System Operator (NESO)’s methodology for developing the first Strategic Spatial Energy Plan (SSEP). The methodology, submitted in April 2025, aligns with recommendations from the Electricity Network Commissioner’s August 2023 report on accelerating transmission network development. The SSEP will provide the first high-level blueprint for Great Britain’s energy infrastructure from 2030 to 2050, offering clarity to industry, investors, and consumers by outlining how the future energy system will be structured and operated. It will set out the amount of electricity and hydrogen generation and storage required and identify the optimal locations, quantities, and types of energy infrastructure needed to support the transition to clean, affordable, and secure energy. NESO intends to publish the final SSEP in Q4 2026.

Ofgem and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) have jointly published a technical decision document, detailing the final key specifications and operational framework of the Long Duration Electricity Storage (LDES) cap and floor scheme. This follows Ofgem's December 2024 call for input. The document also outlines the scheme's application window timelines, eligibility criteria, and the potential LDES capacity required, among other technical aspects. Ofgem intends to publish application guidance when the scheme opens in Spring 2025, alongside an eligibility assessment framework, explaining how projects will be assessed against specific criteria.

Ofgem has announced a 0.2% increase in the energy price cap for Q1 2026, covering the period from 1 January to 31 March 2026, setting the new cap at £1,758 annually for an average household paying by Direct Debit for gas and electricity.

Ofgem has announced a 2% increase in the energy price cap for Q4 2025, covering the period from 1 October to 31 December 2025, setting the new cap at £1,755 annually for an average household paying by Direct Debit for dual fuel.

Ofgem has announced that the energy price cap will increase by 4% from 1 October to 31 December 2026 because of higher wholesale gas prices. For customers paying by direct debit on standard variable tariffs, the average electricity rate will be 26.32 pence per kilowatt hour (kWh), with a daily standing charge of 54.83 pence, while the average gas rate will be 7.97 pence per kWh, with a daily standing charge of 29.68 pence. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has confirmed that VAT will be removed from electricity bills from 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027, saving households an average of £45 a year and limiting the price-cap increase. The VAT reduction will apply automatically to standard variable and fixed tariffs and prepayment meters. Eligible small businesses, charities and residential care homes will also benefit, while gas will remain subject to 5% VAT.

Ofgem has announced that it has agreed to an alternative timetable for issuing connection offers under the Gate 2 to Whole Queue (G2TWQ) process. The revised timetable replaces the standard 7.5-month requirement and aligns with the re-baselined programme published by the National Energy System Operator (NESO) in its Joint Industry Statement of 13 February 2026. It sets phased milestones for Phase 1 and Phase 2 connection offers, with offers to be issued in batches during 2026 and the final batch expected by mid–March 2027. Ofgem noted that the approach provides greater certainty and supports delivery through defined deadlines, regular reporting requirements and early escalation of risks.

Ofgem has announced it has provisionally authorised an initial £24bn investment programme to enhance energy security and modernise Great Britain’s energy infrastructure. The programme allocates more than £15bn to ensure the safe operation of gas transmission and distribution networks, and approximately £10.2bn to upgrade the high-voltage electricity network—the largest grid expansion since the 1960s. Although the programme is projected to increase network charges on bills by £104 by 2031, the net cost impact is estimated at around £24 per year. This increase is offset by significant consumer savings anticipated from reduced constraint costs and improved utilisation of renewable energy. This initiative will enable the connection of up to 126 gigawatts of clean power by 2030 through 80 nationwide transmission projects. Final decisions on the investment will be made by the end of 2025 following the current consultation process.