Draft Energy Prices Act 2022 (Extension of Time Limit) Regulations 2026

Parliament voted on 22 April 2026 to approve the Draft Energy Prices Act 2022 (Extension of Time Limit) Regulations 2026, passing by 380 votes to 7. The regulations extend the Secretary of State's powers under the Energy Prices Act 2022 for a further period, giving ministers continued legal authority to intervene in energy markets and manage how the costs of energy policies are charged to households and businesses. The extension matters because several active measures rely on these powers. The government has already moved 75% of renewables obligation scheme costs for domestic supply from consumer bills to Exchequer funding, and has closed the Energy Company Obligation scheme, replacing it with Exchequer-funded home upgrades under the warm homes plan. Without the extension, ministers would lose the legal tools to maintain or adapt these interventions. The powers also cover potential support for non-domestic, energy-intensive industries, though no specific scheme for businesses has yet been announced under them. Labour, the Liberal Democrats, the Greens, Plaid Cymru, the Democratic Unionist Party and the Social Democratic and Labour Party all voted in favour. Reform UK provided four of the seven no votes, with one independent and one Ulster Unionist also voting against. The Conservative opposition did not vote against the instrument, with their spokesperson Greg Smith explicitly stating they would not divide the committee, while still raising concerns about whether the government's claimed bill savings give the public an accurate picture of the true costs involved.