Offord says Reform will scrap heat pump subsidies – Daily Business

Malcolm Offord will redirect funds (pic: Terry Murden / DB Media Services)

Reform UK Scotland leader Malcolm Offord has pledged to scrap heat pump subsidies, echoing announcements yesterday by economy spokesman for the UK, Robert Jenrick.

Mr Offord will end Scotland’s equivalent heat pump and net zero subsidy schemes, which currently see households receive interest-free loans and grants of up to £9,000.

He has committed to redirecting the funds to other reducing household bills and taxes for Scots.

Mr Offord also backed Mr Jenrick’s call on the Chancellor Rachel Reeves to match the pledge and commit urgently, amid rising global tensions and energy market uncertaintAnother welcome promise was Mr Jenrick’s pledge to cut fuel duty by 5p, after the first budget. The move would provide much-needed relief to families across Scotland facing rising living costs.

Mr Offord said: “People across Scotland are being squeezed by rising costs, and increasing fuel duty at a time like this would be completely wrong.

“Reform UK Scotland will stand up for families and communities by getting rid of costly net zero subsidy schemes in Scotland that only burden taxpayers, while delivering little benefit to ordinary people.

“I look forward to Chancellor Rachel Reeves making the right decision in the interest of the public and cutting fuel duty urgently to protect hard working people.”

Reform UK has called for an end to the Net Zero policy which it believes is a costly and unnecessary burden and wants to encourage more investment in the oil and gas industry.

In Scotland, the Scottish Government provides grants and interest-free loans for heat pumps through the Home Energy Scotland scheme as part of its Heat in Buildings strategy.

The schemes aim to reduce carbon emissions from home heating, but critics say they can be costly and often benefit higher-income households. They are up to £7,500 in urban ares and up to £9,000 in rural areas.

The UK Government’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme gives households grants of up to £7,500 to replace gas boilers with heat pumps in England and Wales.

Government figures show around 30,000 homes received support last year, with plans to increase installations significantly by 2030.

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