MPs back electricity cuts to make heat pumps more affordable

New polling shows 48% of MPs would support removing levies on electricity bills to help households switch from gas- power heating systems. 

The research, commissioned by clean energy tech firm Aira, found almost half of MPs would support cutting taxes on electricity to make low-carbon heating systems – including heat pumps – more affordable.  In contrast, just 17% opposed the idea.

According to the latest findings, UK households currently pay four times more for their electricity than for gas, despite a large share of the country’s electricity coming from renewable sources such as wind, solar and nuclear power.  

What’s more, British households experience some of the highest energy prices in Europe because around four-fifths of levies are added to electricity bills, with only one-fifth applied to gas.

On the subject of high energy prices, the results of the poll arguably couldn’t have come at a better time because earlier this week Ofgem announced energy prices would be increasing from 1st October 2025.

The research, which was conducted by Savanta – a leading data market research company – revealed more MPs need to be made aware about government schemes that could help boost the switch towards clean energy.

For example, the polling revealed just 8% of MPs said they know a lot about the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, and over a third admitted to having little or no familiarity with it.

In similar vein, support for heat pumps and other home energy upgrades varied by party. 72% of Lib Dem MPs and 50% of labour MPs viewed heat pumps as a key tool for cutting emissions, but just 24% of Conservative MPs shared the same view.

The majority of ministers (71%) cited insulating homes as the most effective way to reduce emissions, with 49% backing solar panels and 45% support heat pumps as essential parts of a low-carbon future.

Commenting on the research, Matt Usherwood, UK operations director at Aira, said the findings ‘show a clear appetite for policies that make cleaner heating more accessible’.

‘This report shows us three things: that a strong number of MPs support heat pumps and cheaper electricity prices; that many politicians understand the role heat pumps play in reducing households carbon emissions; and that more needs to be done to educate policymakers and constituents, especially in relation to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme – the government’s flagship heat pump policy,’ he continued.

‘The growing support for lower electricity prices shows that it’s high time to get down to business and deliver the ‘big bang’ moment the heat pump industry, politicians and British households have been waiting for – one that will supercharge the country’s adoption of heat pumps and deliver lower, more stable energy bills for everyone.’

Photo by Ticka Kao via UnSplash 

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Emily Whitehouse
Writer and journalist for Newstart Magazine, Social Care Today and Air Quality News.
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