The government has committed to a 2035 date by which it intends to phase out the sale of new and replacement gas boilers, set out in the energy efficiency section of the British Energy Security Strategy published in April 20221. The strategy states the intention as "Setting a 2035 date by which we intend to phase out the sale of new and replacement gas boilers"1.
The same document sets out a range of measures affecting household heating and bills. It confirms "Launching the £450 million Boiler Upgrade Scheme this month"1, and "Zero-rating VAT for the next five years on the installation of energy saving materials, including insulation and low carbon heating"1. On bills, it states "a £200 reduction in energy bills from October for all households in Great Britain through the Energy Bills Support Scheme" and that "The Warm Home Discount will increase to £150 in October and extend its coverage to assist three million people"1. It also commits to "Expanding the Energy Company Obligation to £1 billion per year from 2022-2026"1.
On the gas grid, the strategy says "we plan to blend up to 20 per cent hydrogen into the natural gas grid and will take a final decision by the end of next year"1. It sets an ambition of "up to 10GW of low carbon hydrogen production capacity by 2030, subject to affordability and value for money"1, and "up to 50GW by 2030, including up to 5GW of innovative floating wind"1. On nuclear it commits to "up to 24GW by 2050" and "Setting up the Great British Nuclear Vehicle this year"1.
The strategy frames the boiler commitment within a wider aim of reducing dependence on imported fuel. It states: "Even as we reduce imports, we will continue to need gas to heat our homes and oil to fill up our tanks for many years to come"1. It also commits to "Committing to phase out the use of Russian oil and coal by the end of 2022"1.
"Setting a 2035 date by which we intend to phase out the sale of new and replacement gas boilers"
| Measure | Figure or date |
|---|---|
| Boiler phase-out (new and replacement sales) | 20351 |
| Boiler Upgrade Scheme | £450 million, launched April 20221 |
| Energy Bills Support Scheme | £200 reduction from October1 |
| Warm Home Discount | £150 from October, three million people1 |
| Energy Company Obligation | £1 billion per year, 2022-20261 |
| Hydrogen in gas grid | up to 20 per cent, decision by end of 20231 |
Why it matters for households
The 2035 date concerns the sale of new and replacement gas boilers, not the removal of boilers already installed. The strategy does not state that existing boilers must be replaced by that year, and no enforcement mechanism for existing installations is set out in the document1. For a household, the practical effect is on what can be bought and fitted as older boilers reach the end of their life, and on the fuels and appliances available at that point.
The document links the change to reducing exposure to international gas prices, which it says are set globally1. It notes the UK uses gas "to heat the majority of our 28 million homes"1. The VAT zero-rating on energy saving materials and low carbon heating, and the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, are the measures in the strategy that touch directly on the cost of changing a home's heating1.
The strategy does not set out what replaces a gas boiler in every case, nor the costs to a household of doing so. Those details are not reported in the document1.
What happens next
The strategy lists several dated steps: the Boiler Upgrade Scheme launched in April 2022, the Net Zero Hydrogen Fund later in April, and the Future Nuclear Enabling Fund in April1. A final decision on blending up to 20 per cent hydrogen into the gas grid is due by the end of 20231. A comprehensive Energy Advice Service on GOV.UK was to launch by summer1. The strategy says "More details will be announced in May"1.
Sources1 cited
- British Energy Security Strategy, data.parliament.uk