BEAMA, the trade association for energy infrastructure and systems, published four policy priorities for the next UK Government on 21 June 2024, in advance of the General Election on 4 July1. The association said it chose issues already in progress or planned, describing them as achievable changes a new government could pick up quickly1.
The four priorities are grid investment, electricity markets, heating technologies and smart metering1. On grid investment, BEAMA recommends continuing and expanding the DESNZ Networks Delivery Forum approach to improve investment in electricity networks and UK manufacturing1. On electricity markets, it calls for the launch of the consultation that had been promised on lowering the price of electricity to improve the benefits of low carbon technologies1.
On heating, BEAMA recommends reforming VAT relief and the Boiler Upgrade Scheme to expand scope to other low carbon electric heat solutions while simplifying processes, under the heading of levelling the playing field for heating technologies1. On metering, it says the smart meter rollout should be got back on track urgently so it is completed and ready to support the net zero transition1.
"Critically, all these measures can help to supercharge economic growth, which will be the focus for new Ministers"
The association also said that by harnessing progress already made to decarbonisation and urgently addressing the challenges that remain, "we could see a post-election surge to make progress solving the energy trilemma of decarbonisation, affordability and security"1.
| Priority | BEAMA recommendation |
|---|---|
| Grid investment | Continue and expand the DESNZ Networks Delivery Forum approach to improve investment in electricity networks and UK manufacturing1 |
| Electricity markets | Launch the promised consultation on lowering the price of electricity to improve the benefits of low carbon technologies1 |
| Heating technologies | Reform VAT relief and the Boiler Upgrade Scheme to expand scope to other low carbon electric heat solutions but simplify processes1 |
| Smart metering | Get the smart meter rollout back on track urgently so it is completed and ready to support the net zero transition1 |
Why it matters for households
Each priority touches equipment and costs inside the home. Electricity market reform bears on the price households pay for power, which shapes the running cost of low carbon electric heating and other appliances1. Changes to VAT relief and the Boiler Upgrade Scheme would affect which heating technologies qualify for support and how straightforward the application process is1. Grid investment determines how quickly networks can connect and carry the load that electrified heating and vehicles place on them1. The smart meter rollout underpins metering and time-of-use arrangements that let a household see and shift when it uses electricity1.
BEAMA frames the package as a route to growth as well as decarbonisation, and as progress on what it calls the energy trilemma of decarbonisation, affordability and security1. The detail of the recommendations sits in a document available from the association's page; the specific measures, rates and eligibility rules are not set out in the published summary1.
What happens next
The General Election takes place on 4 July 20241. BEAMA describes its priorities as aimed at the early days of the next government, and says it is recommending changes that are already in progress or were planned so a new administration can pick them up quickly1. No response from any party or from the government has been reported1.
Sources1 cited
- BEAMA Policy Recommendations for the next UK Government, beama.org.uk