Devon MP Rachel Gilmour accused of declaring ‘war on rural homes’

-Credit:Reach Publishing Services Limited
-Credit:Reach Publishing Services Limited


Tiverton & Minehead MP Rachel Gilmour has been accused of being "at war" with local communities after voting in favour of a bill to accelerate the adoption of low-carbon heating solutions.

The UK's Clean Heat Market Mechanism (CHMM) is a regulatory initiative designed to accelerate the adoption of low-carbon heating solutions, particularly heat pumps, as part of the nation's strategy to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The CHMM places obligations on manufacturers of fossil fuel boilers to increase the proportion of heat pumps in their sales.

Starting April 1, manufacturers of fossil fuel boilers are required to hold credits corresponding to qualifying heat pump installations. These credits must be proportional to their UK boiler sales, incentivising manufacturers to promote and invest in heat pump technologies.

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Ms Gilmour, the MP for Tiverton & Minehead, voted in favour of the Labour Government's CHMM in parliament earlier this month.

Boiler manufacturers must ensure a certain percentage of their sales are heat pumps, and if they breach that target, they will be fined £500 per unit sold. While the initiative aims to reduce carbon emissions, it has sparked concerns about the potential impact on rural communities often home to older, listed buildings where installing heat pumps is challenging but sometimes impossible due to structural limitations, planning consents and higher costs.

James Wright, an Exmoor farmer and the South West chair of the Conservative Rural Forum, criticised the decision: “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 disproportionately affects rural homeowners and renters without viable alternatives to gas or oil boilers.

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"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 won’t work. Traditional boilers and wood burning stoves are the only way to keep these homes warm affordably."

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 balance 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 ensuring that energy policies are effective and equitable.”

Rachel Gilmour MP said: “While we urge the Government to return the fines in the Clean Heat Market Mechanism to their original level next year we welcomed this instrument’s intention to improve commitments to heat pump technology, to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and pave the way to net zero.

"Liberal Democrats support a ten-year home insulation programme with free heat pumps for people on low incomes and incentives to help others make their homes warm, healthy and cheap to heat. No one should be forced to have a heat pump who doesn't want one but the government must work to ensure those who do can.

"The fees for non-compliance have in fact been lowered - so they are wrong to say "the additional financial burden on boiler manufacturers" is "almost certain" to be passed onto consumers. It is right that there are penalties in place for boiler manufacturers who do not comply, to ensure the market is well regulated.”