Ian Rippin, CEO at MCS, said: “MCS welcomes the government announcement that Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant values will be increased to £7,500. Making it easier and more affordable for the average UK consumer to transition to low carbon heating is vital if we are to reach our national decarbonisation goals.

“More people will now have the confidence and ability to invest in low carbon heating and this is an important step forward towards net zero.”

“However, it is disappointing to see a delay in the deadline to phase out new gas boilers by 2035. The most important element of helping consumers make the right, informed, green choice is clarity and moving the goalposts now risks confusing home and business owners about what the right thing to do is.”

Heat pump manufacturer NIBE put out the following statement, criticising the policy change: "We are exasperated by the Prime Minister's decision to delay the phase out of fossil fuel boilers in off-grid homes and strongly disagree with the notion that the technology needed isn't ready. Heat pumps represent a viable solution that can help us achieve net-zero – a target that should be a top priority without hesitation or delay.

"Additionally, while the increase in funding for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme aligns with our advocacy efforts, it is just one of many necessary steps. For example, ground source heat pumps are a logical solution in off-grid homes using high carbon fossil fuels, yet the scheme covers a lower percentage of their costs compared to other technologies. 

"Moreover, policy certainty is crucial not only to industry but installers who need confidence in the direction of the market. The decision to backtrack on targets sends all the wrong signals at a time when we need the green light to pave the way for a net-zero future."

George Webb, CEO of Liquid Gas UK, had more of a positive view of the move. He said: “Moving the [oil/LPG boiler] phase out date to 2035 brings welcome parity between off-grid and on-grid households. The 2026 off-grid fossil fuel boiler ban would have seen many in our rural communities having to spend tens of thousands of pounds on electric heating systems for hard-to-treat homes where they would have been unsuitable. 

“The new pragmatic approach now taken by government is welcome. We look forward to working with government on adopting a mixed-technology approach to off-grid heating. The LPG industry has a credible pathway to be 100% renewable by 2040, enabling consumers to use renewable liquid gases in their current heating systems, and negate the need for a costly retrofit and installation for those hard-to-treat properties, whilst still seeing significant carbon reductions of up to 90%, compared to fossil LPG.

“For those of off-grid consumers who won’t have to or can’t install a heat pump, they can still make a significant contribution to net-zero by switching to renewable liquid gases. We look forward to working with government on the development and deployment of renewable liquid gases at scale.”

Joseph Raftery, member of the HPA Executive and Heating Product Manager for Samsung Climate Solutions, said: "Following recent government announcements, we welcome the increase to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant which will enable more consumers to adopt low carbon heating technology. 

"The take up of heat pumps in the UK will continue to grow as more consumers are seeing the benefits of proactively replacing their old boilers with more low carbon solutions. Samsung Climate Solutions together with the Heat Pump Association are committed to working towards UK decarbonisation targets, the Future Homes Standard of 2025, and upskilling the necessary workforce in this vibrant and growing industry.