Ed Miliband plans to cut boiler-related penalties by 80% because of growing worries about consumer costs. The energy secretaryʼs new approach will lower fines for boiler-makers who dont meet heat-pump sales targets from £3‚000 to £500 per unit
The policy change means new boilers might cost just £20 more (instead of earlier £120 estimates); this shift shows how quick the government is to re-think its eco-friendly plans when they hit peoples wallets. A source from the industry said: “The net-zero department is really worried about all the bad press – theyre trying hard to keep costs down“
Morgan McSweeney‚ who became No 10ʼs chief-of-staff about a month ago is pushing for more focus on day-to-day issues. His influence already shows in several policy changes:
- Cancelled smoking ban in pub gardens
- Stopped new sin-taxes
- Changed approach to green policies
The governments big goal of installing 600k heat pumps yearly by 28ʼ looks shaky now – last year saw just 37k installations which is way below whatʼs needed. The clean heat rules starting next spring say companies must make heat pumps 6% of their sales; this number will go up until gas boilers are gone by 35ʼ
A department spokesperson mentioned: “Recent energy problems show we need better homes; our warm homes plan will help with upgrades like insulation solar panels and heat pumps“ but didnt give exact details about the changes timing