In a surprising move, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has confirmed that the Government has no plans to impose a ban on gas boilers in homes by 2035. This announcement comes as a stark reversal of the controversial proposal made under the previous Conservative government, which had aimed to phase out gas boilers and replace them with greener alternatives, such as heat pumps, within the next decade.
Financial strains switching heating systems
Speaking at the Energy Security and Net Zero Committee, Miliband emphasised the need for caution in making such a significant policy change. He voiced concerns over the financial strain that a rushed switch to more expensive heating systems could impose on households. “I’m very wary of forcing people to replace their gas boilers when we can’t guarantee that heat pumps will be affordable for everyone,” he said.
The proposal to ban new gas boilers by 2035 was originally part of the Conservative government’s broader plan to meet the UK’s ambitious net-zero targets. Under former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, the policy was softened to an 80% reduction in gas boilers by the set deadline. However, this was met with backlash from climate campaigners and MPs who felt the move was insufficient to address the urgent climate crisis.
Backtrack on boiler ban
The Government’s backtracking on this boiler ban was confirmed last week, when reports revealed that the planned 2035 deadline for new housebuilding regulations had been scrapped. When questioned by MPs, Miliband was quick to clarify that Labour had never intended to enforce such a ban. “There isn’t going to be a ban because Rishi Sunak… well, they never legislated for it, and then he said he wasn’t going to do it,” Miliband stated, adding that Labour’s manifesto promised not to “force anyone to rip out their gas boiler.”
Miliband further stressed that the focus should be on ensuring that any transition to cleaner heating options is financially viable for consumers. “We want to make sure that people are better off when they make this transition,” he explained. “I do not want to be in a position where people are told they must switch to heat pumps and then face rising costs.”
Higher energy efficiency standards still on-track
Despite ruling out the 2035 ban, Miliband did suggest that future homes would still need to meet higher energy efficiency standards. He pointed to the importance of building homes to a “low-carbon spec” and noted that there was growing enthusiasm within the housing industry to create homes that could achieve zero bills for a decade, offering a clear financial benefit to consumers.
While this news may be a relief for many homeowners with gas boilers, it raises questions about the Government’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions. Experts argue that without a clear plan to phase out fossil fuel heating, the UK could miss its net-zero targets, putting future generations at risk.
