Government consultations for the summer of 2025 relating to the environment, the built environment, training and tax

[edit] One year of a Labour government

In July 2024, Labour inherited what it described as a stifled planning system, an ongoing housing crisis, and public services under strain. As progress is made towards improvements, consultations are a vital processes along the way. The Labour government, in its first five months, launched over 60 reviews, consultations, and taskforces, averaging a new review approximately every 2½ days.

Labour's reforms to the planning system are significant but gradual. Legislative overhauls, including the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, aim to tackle deep structural issues. Grey belt development, affordable housing mandates, and reintroduced housing targets are at their core. Green belt developments require more affordable homes, and Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) continues but with proposed loosening for smaller projects as small developers face continued barriers from complex planning systems and high costs.

Labour pledged 1.5 million new homes but appears to be aiming for 1.3 million by 2029 with the original target, based on the 2004 Barker Review, being perhaps more symbolic than realistic. So far 12 new towns are proposed, and after 1 year, around 215,000 homes may have been delivered, falling short of the targets.

Below is a brief look at how Labour plans to overhaul certain areas of the built environment as well as the local environment through consultations and the others in the pipeline.

[edit] What Is a UK Government Consultation?

A UK government consultation is a structured process where a government department or public body invites feedback from individuals, organisations, or other stakeholders on proposed policies, regulations, or actions. This typically involves:

• Publishing a consultation document (often a Green Paper or White Paper) outlining proposals.
• Opening a formal 12-week (or sometimes shorter) comment period, inviting written responses.
• Holding meetings, workshops, or focus groups for deeper engagement.
• Collecting and analysing responses, then publishing a summary and impact assessment showing how feedback was used commonslibrary.parliament.uk.

This promotes transparency, democratic involvement in policymaking, ensures better-informed decisions, and helps the government be seen as accountable.

[edit] Summary of consultations

Previous consultations by topic include; Council tax, Council funding, Planning committee reform, planning reform, site notices, EPC calculations, MEES, Community benefits and shared ownership in low-carbon energy, Fuel poverty strategy.

Ongoing consultations by topic include; Landfill and recycling, planning committees, BNG for small / medium sites, local authority funding, social rent, apprenticeships, application of Decent Homes Standard and MEES, sustainability reporting, council tay administration and leaseholder protections.

[edit] Current consultation details by closing date

[edit] Proposed updates to the Environment Agency’s enforcement and sanctions policy to include the Clean Heat Market Mechanism

Summary: We want your views on the proposed changes to the Environment Agency’s enforcement and sanctions policy which is to include a new section to cover the Clean Heat Market Mechanism.

https://consult.environment-agency.gov.uk/environment-and-business/environment-agency-esp-updates-to-include-chmm/

This consultation closes at 11:59pm on 15 July 2025

[edit] Environment Agency charge proposals for simpler recycling

Proposed new hourly rates for businesses or occupiers of relevant non-domestic premises that are not complying with the requirements of simpler recycling: workplace recycling in England.

https://consult.environment-agency.gov.uk/environment-and-business/ea-charge-proposals-for-simpler-recycling/

This consultation closes at 11:59pm on 15 July 2025

[edit] Consultation on reform of Landfill Tax

Proposals aimed at supporting the government’s ambition to transition to a more circular economy, simplifying the tax and reducing opportunities for error and non-compliance, and cracking down on waste crime.

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/consultation-on-reform-of-landfill-tax

This consultation closes at 11:59pm on 21 July 2025

[edit] Reform of planning committees: technical consultation

This consultation seeks views on the implementation of our proposals to modernise planning committees.

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/reform-of-planning-committees-technical-consultation

This consultation closes at 11:59pm on 23 July 2025

[edit] Proposed commitments in the investigation into suspected anti-competitive conduct by housebuilders

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is consulting on its intention to accept commitments offered by 7 of the largest housebuilders in Great Britain.

https://connect.cma.gov.uk/consultation-on-proposed-commitments-in-the-investigation-into-suspected-anti-competitive-conduct-by-housebuilders

This consultation closes at 5pm on 24 July 2025

[edit] BNG for minor, medium and brownfield development

Improving the implementation of biodiversity net gain (BNG) for minor, medium and brownfield development.

https://consult.defra.gov.uk/defra-biodiversity-net-gain/improving-the-implementation-of-biodiversity-net-g/

This consultation closes at 11:59pm on 24 July 2025

[edit] BNG for nationally significant infrastructure projects

Implementation of biodiversity net gain (BNG) for nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIPs).

https://consult.defra.gov.uk/biodiversity-net-gain/biodiversity-net-gain-for-nationally-significant-i/

This consultation closes at 11:59pm on 24 July 2025

[edit] The Fair Funding Review 2.0

Proposed approach to local authority funding reform through the Local Government Finance Settlement from 2026-27.

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/the-fair-funding-review-20

This consultation closes at 11:59pm on 15 August 2025

[edit] How to implement Social Rent convergence

A new Direction to the Regulator of Social Housing in relation to social housing rent policy from 1 April 2026 that includes Social Rent convergence.

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/how-to-implement-social-rent-convergence

This consultation closes at 11:45pm on 27 August 2025

[edit] Regulatory framework for apprenticeship assessment

Proposals for the regulation of the new arrangements for apprenticeship assessment.

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/regulatory-framework-for-apprenticeship-assessment

This consultation closes at 11:59pm on 27 August 2025

[edit] Assessment and rating of wind turbine noise guidance: proposed updates.

Updates to guidance on the assessment of noise from onshore wind turbines across the UK.

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/assessment-and-rating-of-wind-turbine-noise-guidance-proposed-updates

This consultation closes at 11:59pm on 29 August 2025

[edit] Electricity network infrastructure: consents, land access and rights

Proposed changes to land rights and consents processes for electricity network infrastructure.

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/electricity-network-infrastructure-consents-land-access-and-rights

11:59pm on 2 September 2025

[edit] Consultation on a reformed Decent Homes Standard for social and privately rented homes

A reformed Decent Homes Standard will establish the minimum housing standards that tenants in both social and private rented sectors can expect from their landlords.

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/consultation-on-a-reformed-decent-homes-standard-for-social-and-privately-rented-homes

This consultation closes at 11:45pm on 10 September 2025

[edit] Improving the Energy Efficiency of Socially Rented Homes (MEES) in England

Proposal to set a minimum energy efficiency standard (MEES) for socially rented homes for the first time.

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/improving-the-energy-efficiency-of-socially-rented-homes-in-england

This consultation closes at 11:45pm on 10 September 2025

[edit] Modernising council tax

Policies to improve the administration of council tax.

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/modernising-and-improving-the-administration-of-council-tax

This consultation closes at 11:59pm on 12 September 2025

[edit] Assurance of sustainability reporting

Proposal for greater regulatory oversight of third-party assurance services for sustainability-related financial disclosures.

https://ditresearch.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4ORirYG9L02Mm58

This consultation closes at 11:59pm on 17 September 2025

[edit] Climate-related transition plan requirements

Options to take forward climate-related transition plan requirements in order to provide the market with credible and decision-useful information.

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/climate-related-transition-plan-requirements

This consultation closes at 11:59pm on 17 September 2025

[edit] Exposure drafts: UK Sustainability Reporting Standards

Draft UK Sustainability Reporting Standards, based on the International Sustainability Standards Board standards.

https://ditresearch.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eSbfaKib2WNg2l8

This consultation closes at 11:59pm on 17 September 2025

[edit] Strengthening leaseholder protections over charges and services: consultation

Proposals to implement aspects of Part 4 of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 and future reform on leasehold charges and services.

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/strengthening-leaseholder-protections-over-charges-and-services-consultation

This consultation closes at 11:59pm on 26 September 2025

[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings

• Consultation in the built environment.
• Community engagement.
• Consultation on banning the use of combustible materials in the external walls of high-rise residential buildings.
• Consultation process.
• ECA research cited in Welsh Government consultation on Net Zero Sector Skills.
• Government Building Safety Levy technical consultation response.
• Government response to the Building a Safer Future consultation.
• Neighbour.
• Non-statutory consultees.
• Party Wall Act.
• Stakeholder.
• Third party.