The Whole of Government Accounts (Designation of Bodies) Order 2025 designates numerous public and local government bodies to provide financial information to the Treasury for the 2024-2025 financial year.

This data is used to compile the Whole of Government Accounts, aiming to improve transparency and accountability in public spending.

The Order came into force on March 18, 2025, and applies to England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

The Treasury consulted with Welsh Ministers where deemed appropriate.

The regulations establish new requirements for electricity generating stations in England to demonstrate their readiness for future decarbonisation through either carbon capture and storage (CCS) or hydrogen conversion.

Operators must submit detailed technical and economic feasibility assessments when applying for environmental permits, proving they can meet specific conditions for either CCS readiness or hydrogen conversion readiness.

The regulations replace existing Carbon Capture Readiness requirements and extend to both inland and territorial waters adjacent to England.

The Order amends the UK Emissions Trading Scheme to revise how installation closures are handled and their impact on free allocation of emissions allowances.

It introduces new definitions for operational cessation, mandatory notification requirements, and regulator powers to determine permanent closures.

The amendments also create special provisions for installations undertaking decarbonization projects and modify reporting requirements for installations receiving free allowances.

These changes aim to improve scheme administration while supporting industrial transition to lower-carbon operations.