Reports that restricting heat-pump subsidies in the upcoming Budget have been attacked by the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU).

Jess Ralston, energy analyst, said: "As the North Sea continues to run out of gas, unless we make the shift to electric heat pumps that can be powered by British renewables, the UK will become ever more dependent on foreign gas imports. New drilling will make very little difference, whereas the deployment of heat pumps would. Any slowdown of the roll out would clearly put the UK’s energy security and independence in jeopardy.

“The scheme's success is in providing certainty that has allowed small businesses and larger manufacturers alike to invest in building up supply chains. Sending mixed signals now could be seen as a slap in the face for those businesses and the people who work for them and could mean less growth in the very industries the Government says it wants to support."

Of course, no one is fully aware of what will be in the Budget (probably including Rachel Reeves), but it would, like EV charging per mile, be something of contradiction in policy.

---