New Study Shows MPs Are on the Same Page About Power Prices and Energy Upgrades
Scientists just finished a big survey of 111 British MPs to see what they think about the rising cost of electricity, taxes, home efficiency plans and a hot topic that’s been on everybody’s mind: the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.
What the MPs Are Saying:
- Most MPs, regardless of party, agree that electricity prices are too high and that taxes on energy are a real headache for ordinary folks.
- They’re firm believers in home efficiency measures – think better insulation, smart thermostats and the latest heat‑pump tech.
- And they want the Boiler Upgrade Scheme to be streamlined so workers can swap out old boilers for greener models without a bureaucratic maze.
Heat Pump Champions Make Their Pitch:
Leading voices in the heat‑pump community are raising a rallying cry. They want policy makers to step in, spread the word about clean energy options and let people know all the incentive goodies out there. They’re also pushing for cheaper electricity bills so that everyone can get on board with the next generation of energy tech.
Bottom Line:
It’s great news that MPs across the board are in sync about tackling energy costs, boosting efficiency and making the Boiler Upgrade Scheme more user‑friendly. The heat‑pump advocates top it off with a solid call to action: let’s keep the conversation humming and make clean energy a reality for everyone.
Electricity tax reform – The clean energy tech revolution begins
Electricity Costs Got MPs Buzzing! What The Study Says
Savanta rolled up its sleeves to research the “Power Politics: Electrifying the Future of British Energy” on behalf of Aira, a leading clean‑energy tech firm. The findings are a real eye‑opener for anyone who loves saving money on utility bills and cheering for greener homes.
Key Take‑aways in Numbers
- 48% of MPs are on board with cutting electricity costs to level the playing field for heat pumps.
- 17% of MPs would say nope to any price cuts.
- 34% of MPs stayed neutral, or are “information‑hungry” and want to learn more before committing.
So, most politicians see the potential, but a whole quarter still wants a deeper dive. That’s a boost for the campaigners who’re pushing Parliament to do two things:
- Hold up a giant “info‑sign” and educate the public about why cheaper electricity can kick gas out of the room.
- Use their policy‑making leverage to make switching to heat pumps a no‑brainer for everybody.
Why So Expensive?
Let’s set the stage. In the UK, the average household pays four times more for electricity than for gas. That’s right—if you’re paying the same for heating whether it’s electric or gas, you’ll be tossing money into an electric bill that’s costlier by a factor of four.
What’s driving that? For households, about 80% of the electric bill comes from levies. Gas is only 20% wrapped with levies. The result? Electric energy, even though it’s largely pumped out of wind, solar and nuclear sources, gets a much steeper price tag.
MPs Are Split: Who’s Who?
When digging into the political divide, the data shows a clear “party line” swing:
- Liberal Democrats: 58% would say no to removing levies on electricity.
- Conservative MPs: 22% opposed the cut.
- Labour MPs: 10% voiced a “no.”
Pretty telling that the Liberal Democrats are the most worried about pulling levies, while the Conservatives and Labour are somewhat more laid‑back (yet still more cautious than the 48% who are all in for cheaper electricity).
What’s the Bottom Line?
The study brings a hopeful message: most MPs are leaning towards cheaper electricity, but a sizable chunk is still on the fence. That gives room for the government and the energy sector to:
- Run educational campaigns that show how a cheaper electric bill can help families stop using gas boilers.
- Leverage policy levers to make heat pumps an attractive, and affordable, choice.
In short, there’s plenty of momentum to push the UK toward a greener, more efficient future—just relaunch that learning initiative and watch the heat pumps roll in!
Boiler Upgrade Scheme – Still not widely understood, even by MPs
Heat‑pump Politics: MPs Are Basically “All‑You‑Know” About the Boiler Upgrade Scheme
In the latest Aira survey, MPs were asked how much they truly understand the government’s flagship plan to get heat pumps running in homes—officially called the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (or BUS, for short). It turns out no one’s doing the homework on this funding.
Key Numbers That We’re All Caught On
- Only 8% of MPs say they’re “fully” on the level with the £7,500 help for heat‑pump installs.
- 9% of MPs admit they’ve never even heard of the BUS. Talk about a “burn‑out” on the policy front.
- High awareness, low familiarity: About nine in ten MPs know the scheme exists, but most are left scratching their heads over the details.
Party Lines: A Tale of Two Awareness Levels
The Big Four political players haven’t all been on equal footing:
- Lib Dems are the bright lights of parliament, with 100% awareness and 86% familiarity. These MPs can talk heat pumps before the kettle’s even turned on.
- Conservatives have the lowest awareness at 84%, even though they were the ones who rolled out the policy in 2022. Their knowledge is apparently still trying to catch up.
- Labour falls somewhere in middle ground but does not get the memo: Only 58% familiarity and just 5% know the scheme inside‑out.
The Bottom Line
While most MPs are at least aware of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, there’s a stark gap between being heard and truly understanding how it works. Whether it’s a lack of briefing, a lazy memo, or simply a perception that heat pumps are “warm & cozy” is anyone’s guess. If your goal is to see heat‑pump policies get the work they deserve in Parliament, it might be time for a new workshop—or a comedy night that actually gets everyone laughing (and learning) about the BUS.
Reducing household emissions – Sustainability starts at home
MPs Are Turning the House into a Climate‑Friendly Castle
When asked what would smash the biggest wedge in household carbon, the majority of MPs said the answer lies in home insulation (71%) and double or triple glazing (54%). It’s like a building‑safety party, but with fewer confetti and more soot‑free outcomes.
Renewable Energy Gets a Ph.D. in Popularity
- Solar panels got a 49% vote‑of‑confidence.
- Heat pumps turning old gas or oil boilers into green powerhouses scored 45%.
So, if you think politicians are still stuck in the “coal‑and‑custard” era, think again. The clean‑energy crowd is ready to roll out the sustainable carpet.
Policing the Heat‑Pump Debate
The heat‑pump machine is the hot topic, and party politics play out like a sitcom set‑up:
- Lib Dems: 72% of MPs are hitting the “yes” button.
- Labour: 50% feel the power of the pump.
- Conservatives: Only 24% shooed at the idea.
So, while some lawmakers are chanting “let’s pump it up!” others are still double‑checking the installation instructions.
Industry’s Voice: Matt Isherwood on the Heat‑Pump Heroism
Matt Isherwood, Aira UK Service Operations Director, dropped the mic on this comment: “We wanted to find out how MPs see the future of our homes; how they think we can make them cleaner, warmer, and more affordable to run.” He added, “This report shows us three things: a strong number of MPs support heat pumps and cheaper electricity prices; many politicians understand the role heat pumps play in reducing household carbon emissions; and more needs to be done to educate policymakers and constituents, especially in relation to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.”
Isherwood’s call to action? “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.”
Bottom Line
MPs are on the cusp of turning every British home into a low‑emission, cozy haven. From glow‑ing insulation to shining solar panels, the roadmap to a greener future is clearer than ever. Ready to upgrade? Your heating system is calling—let’s answer!
