Government U-turns on gas boiler ban

The Government has performed a U-turn on its commitment to introduce a blanket ban on gas boilers.

Exceptions in some circumstances will now be allowed with local councils given the power to waive the requirements, The Times reports.

News of the different approach came in a government consultation response, and will mean its Future Homes Standard green blueprint will now need to be changed.

New rules

The new rules are due to come into force in March next year, with the aim of reducing carbon emissions from homes by ensuring other forms of heating such as heat pumps are used.

The Government has stressed the exemptions will only be allowed in exceptional circumstances such as in rural areas where there is no access to the electricity grid.

Officials had previously said there would be no exceptions, emphasising the new regulations were flexible enough to cater for all situations.

Step change

“The Future Homes and Buildings Standard is a step change in energy efficiency, and the vast majority of new homes and buildings will be expected to meet it in full,” a government spokesperson told The Times.

“We committed to keeping the need for dispensations or relaxations under review, and these will be allowed by the relevant building authority only in individual cases and in exceptional circumstances, such as remote buildings that are not connected to the national grid, where meeting the normal requirements would not reasonably be possible.”

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