UNPOPULAR CLIMATE POLICIES ANNOUNCED YEARS AHEAD

The following is from an article in the Sun dated 21 February. The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond mentioned in his Spring Statement that the Government was going to implement these proposals. Of course he is unlikely to be in power in six years, and it still seems quite a long way off, so no one is paying much attention to it. However it will not be popular when it comes in and whoever is in government then will get the flack, just like the diesel car fiasco and the increase in wind power.

HOUSE ABOUT THAT

Gas hobs and boilers could be BANNED in new homes within six years due to carbon emissions targets

The Committee on Climate Change, which advises the Government and monitors the UK's carbon emissions, has made the recommendations in its new report

By Helen Knapman, Digital Deputy Consumer Editor

In the UK, the Government has a target to reduce carbon emissions by 80 per cent compared to 1990 levels by 2050.

But the committee says the Government isn't doing enough to combat the issue. It says that around 4.5million homes now overheat, even in cool summers.

It adds that making homes more energy efficient could save households in new homes between £70 and £260 on their energy bills each year.

Baroness Brown, chair of the committee's adaptation committee, said: “This report confirms what we have long-suspected: UK homes are largely unprepared for climate change.

"The Government now has an opportunity to act. There must be compliance with stated building designs and standards. We need housing with low-carbon sources of heating.

"And we must finally grasp the challenge of improving our poor levels of home energy efficiency. As the climate continues to change, our homes are becoming increasingly uncomfortable and unsafe."

But trade body the Home Builders Federation - whose members account for 80 per cent of all new homes built in England and Wales - warns that these energy efficiency measures will bump up prices.

Building experts estimate that it could add around £5,000 to the cost of a new build.

This is because low carbon heating includes pricey underfloor heating and more costly, larger low grade heat radiators - the look of which may also put of home buyers.

A spokesperson said: “Developers have demonstrated a clear commitment to this agenda and new homes are considerably more energy efficient than older ones.

"But builders need to sell homes and so alternative energy sources have to be attractive to consumers and commercially viable.

"Gas boiler systems are currently the most attractive option for consumers and so what builders tend to install, and limitations remain with the alternatives available."