From COVID-19 to Net Zero: How can regulation respond to change?
In September 2021, the NAO hosted a virtual seminar From COVID-19 to Net Zero: How can regulation respond to change? It was an opportunity to hear from thought leaders in regulatory policy and...
View ArticleRegulation of private renting
Background to the report There are an estimated 4.4 million privately rented households in England. While most tenants have a good experience of renting, those who do not may find it contributes to...
View ArticleRegulation of private renting
A report by the National Audit Office (NAO) has found that the way private renting is regulated is not effective in ensuring the sector is consistently fair for renters or that housing is safe and...
View ArticleDepartmental Overview 2020-21: Regulation
Our regulation overview sets out who the key regulators are in the UK, how much they spend, and what they are trying to achieve. It also covers how key regulators have responded to the COVID pandemic,...
View ArticleRegulating the financial sustainability of higher education providers in England
Background to the report For a higher education provider to access government funding for research or teaching, or for its students to receive government tuition fee and maintenance loans, it must be...
View ArticleRegulating the financial sustainability of higher education providers in England
Universities’ finances proved more resilient during the COVID-19 pandemic than had been feared but challenges remain in the medium and long-term. As the Office for Students develops as a regulator, it...
View ArticleRegulating after EU Exit
Some UK regulators have taken on significant new roles following EU Exit. However, the work they are doing now to build their capability and manage operational challenges may not align with long-term...
View ArticleEnvironmental compliance and enforcement
Background to the briefing The purpose of this briefing is to support the Environmental Audit Committee’s scrutiny of government’s environmental protection work. It aims to provide the Committee with...
View ArticleThe energy supplier market
Background to the report Since the energy market was opened to competition from the 1990s, domestic energy consumers have been free to choose their domestic energy supplier. In the decade after it was...
View ArticleThe energy supplier market
Customers will need to pay an estimated £2.7 billion to cover the costs of 28 energy suppliers failing since June 2021, in addition to the cost of running Bulb Energy. While the supplier failures were...
View ArticleRegulation post-EU exit: what are the key issues?
On 4 October we brought together experts to discuss regulation and Britain’s relationship with Europe and to share their views on the key issues facing regulators following the UK’s exit from the EU....
View ArticleRegulating to achieve environmental outcomes
Background The government wants this to be the first generation to leave the natural environment of England in a better state than it inherited. In 2022 it published binding statutory targets in four...
View ArticleHow to deliver regulation locally
Background to report Government may use regulation to achieve public policy objectives when it does not provide or commission services directly. Effective regulation that is proportionate can protect...
View ArticlePreparedness for online safety regulation
Background to the report People are increasingly living their lives online. According to research by Ofcom, 93% of UK adults have access to the internet at home, and they spent on average just under...
View ArticleInnovation in regulation: key takeaways from our webinar
Due to popular demand this is the third year we have run a regulation webinar. This year’s discussion focused on ‘Effective regulation in a climate of innovation’. If you were not one of the hundreds...
View ArticleMonitoring and responding to companies in distress: good practice
Background to the guide The government’s position is that, in general, private sector companies should be allowed to fail as part of the efficient working of markets and the economy. In some...
View ArticleMonitoring and responding to companies in distress: lessons learned
Background to the report The UK government’s position is that, in general, private sector companies should be allowed to fail as part of the efficient working of markets and the economy, and that...
View ArticleFinancial services regulation: Adapting to change
Background to the report The financial services industry was worth an estimated £173.6 billion to the UK economy in 2021. Financial services include banking, insurance and investment fund management,...
View ArticleRegulation in the water sector
Background The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) has overall responsibility for setting the policy and regulatory framework for England. In the 2023 Plan for Water, it set...
View ArticleRegulating after EU Exit
Background to the report Government uses regulation to deliver public policy outcomes in a wide range of areas, for example, to ensure food safety, protect the environment, or promote competition in...
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