Plan and investment needed now if we are going to have a chance of meeting ambitious climate goals
GMB, the energy union, has responded to Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng’s appearance before the BEIS select committee today and his confirmation that the department’s Heat and Building Strategy will be delayed further until the autumn - likely after the department’s Hydrogen Strategy.
Andy Prendergast, GMB Senior Organiser, said:
“The UK desperately needs a strategy and investment for low carbon home heating. Instead, the Minister is kicking it further down the pitch.
“Workers, the industry and households all need certainty moving forward which requires agreement on a plan - a multi-faceted plan, with a focus on hydrogen mixed fuels to ensure heating current homes can continue.
“As the Committee on Climate Change has said, there is currently no workforce capable of a mass installation of heat pumps. That’s before we get on to their reliance on unproven science that is unsuitable for much of the current housing stock and the huge disruption and cost getting them fitted entails.
“The Government needs to urgently put in place support for a long-term plan that prioritises hydrogen, biogas and hybrid home heating systems.
“That is the only serious approach that would bring the country with politicians, keep the heating on and meet the UK’s climate ambitions.”
