Chris Loder, MP for West Dorset, has significantly advanced his rural energy campaign following the Prime Minister’s recent announcement of a new approach to delivering Net Zero by 2050. The local MP has voiced his scepticism towards the previous approach, which would have unfairly impacted rural households and businesses with a ban on new or replacement oil or gas boilers from 2026. Speaking about the previous approach, Mr Loder said:
“That policy risked burdening rural families and those with low-incomes the most, with many rural people being pressed into paying thousands for a new heating system and that could not be justified during a cost of living crisis. The wider debate about Net Zero has rarely included an understanding of its consequences. The language of Net Zero has featured the pros, but very rarely the consequences and that is why the Prime Minister has balanced these and adjusted some of the immediate initiatives whilst still maintaining our commitment to Net Zero at 2050.”
“Under the new approach, off-grid households and businesses will only need to install a Heat Pump if they are intending to replace their current boiler from 2035, and one-fifth of all households will be exempt where it isn’t practical or affordable to do so. For households and businesses that want to transition to a Heat Pump now, grants worth £7,500 – or 50% the cost of a Heat Pump – will be available under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme. This new approach continues our commitment to meet Net Zero by 2050 and enables a more pragmatic and realistic route to achieving this.”
