Heating for rural homes debated in House of Commons

On Tuesday evening Sir Bill Wiggin, MP for North Herefordshire, concluded business in the House of Commons by leading a debate on heating rural homes.

Despite current hot weather he pointed out that 1.1 million homes in England alone are not connected to the gas grid, some of which in the most isolated rural areas also lack access to electricity, and are therefore reliant on carbon-intensive oil or coal for heating. As we have pointed out, Russia’s war in Ukraine and the broader cost of living crisis have heaped pressure on heating fuel prices; oil more than doubled in the immediate aftermath of the invasion. 

While he recognised the Government’s efforts to support households through the Energy Price Guarantee which left gas and electricity bills capped at about half of what they might have been, those off the gas grid were left with a £200 payment and no cap on prices. He went on to point out the impracticality for off-grid homes of the Government’s current proposal to ban the installation of replacement gas and oil boilers from 2026, also touching on the shortage of technicians qualified to install alternative technologies and the inherent difficulties in trying to use heat pumps in poorly insulated properties, which are especially prevalent in rural areas. As he pointed out,

“The Government consulted on the proposal to phase out the replacement of fossil fuel boilers from 2026 for off-grid homes in January last year, but we are yet to see their response to the consultation. When will they publish it, given that it has been over a year since the consultation? In the absence of a response, can the Minister confirm that the Government will delay the 2026 boiler ban until there are effective and affordable alternatives for heating rural homes?” 

An intervention from Sir Jake Berry MP (Rossendale and Darwen) prompted discussion of the flaws in the Energy Performance Certificate model, which automatically assigns low ratings to thatched properties despite the material’s insulating capabilities, and resulting impacts on the ability to let the property or obtain a mortgage. Sir Bill described them as “not just stupid and useless, but absolutely evil when it comes to the fundamental right of people to want to own their own homes… Worse than that, if someone cannot get an EPC rating of C, they cannot rent a house either.” 

Responding on behalf of the Government, Energy Security Minister Amanda Solloway MP said that decarbonising off-gas-grid properties is a priority given the levels of pollution they can generate. She reiterated the support that householders have received in the application of the Energy Price Guarantee to electricity and the £200 Alternative Fuel Payment, but said that the Government intends to move away from universal towards targeted support for householders most in need. Although she could not respond directly on the proposed ban on replacement oil boilers she pledged to look into it. She recognised the various challenges with energy efficiency, Energy Performance Certificates and skills for installers, saying, 

“Decarbonising rural, off-grid properties in a way that is fair, affordable and smooth for consumers will require a range of different technologies and policy approaches.” 

The Countryside Alliance is grateful to Sir Bill for highlighting these important issues, and will continue to advocate for effective and reasonably priced heating solutions for rural homes.