Rachel Gilmour, the MP for Tiverton & Minehead, voted in favour of the Labour Government's Clean Heat Market Mechanism Regulations in parliament last week. The policy is designed to accelerate the adoption of heat pumps by imposing fines on manufacturers of gas and oil boilers who fail to meet specific sales targets.
Starting in April 2025, the policy mandates that boiler manufacturers must ensure a certain percentage of their sales are heat pumps, with a fine of £500 per unit sold if they breach that target. While the initiative aims to reduce carbon emissions, it has sparked significant concerns about the potential impact on rural communities, particularly in constituencies like Tiverton and Minehead, which Rachel Gilmour represents.
Rural areas are often home to older, listed buildings where installing heat pumps is not only challenging but sometimes impossible due to structural limitations, planning consents, and higher costs. Heat pumps also require well-insulated homes, which many rural properties simply are not. The additional financial burden on boiler manufacturers is almost certain to be passed on to consumers, increasing costs for traditional heating systems. This will disproportionately affect rural homeowners and renters who have no viable alternatives to gas or oil boilers.
James Wright, an Exmoor farmer and the Southwest Chair of the Conservative Rural Forum, criticised the decision, saying:
"We need less hot air and virtue signalling from Westminster, and more support for keeping our families and pensioners warm. For large numbers of homes, heat pumps simply won’t work. Traditional boilers and wood burning stoves are the only way to affordably keep these homes warm."
He added: "It is disappointing that Rachel has again voted alongside Labour MPs, allowing them continue their war on communities like Tiverton & Minehead.".
Policymakers must strike a balance between environmental objectives and the practical realities faced by diverse communities. Engaging with local stakeholders and prioritising the specific needs of rural areas is essential to ensure that energy policies are both effective and equitable.