Rishi Sunak confirms heat pump replacements to be delayed with homeowners given 'far more time'

Sunak was keen to offer respite for homeowners as new properties previously faced a ban on gas boilers by 2025.

The Prime Minister announced changes to heat pumps while explaining how "balance" was needed when decarbonising homes.

WATCH NOW: Craig Mackinlay breaks down Sunak's net zero plans

He said: "For a family living in a terraced house in Darlington, the upfront cost could be around £10,000.

"Even the most committed advocates of net zero must recognise that if our solution is to force people to pay that kind of money, support will collapse and we will simply never get there."

Sunak added: "We will give people far more time to make the necessary transition to heat pumps.

"We will never force anyone to rip out their existing boiler and replace it with a heat pump.

• Climate targets are bureaucratic nonsense! Finally we're starting to listen to the British people, says Dame Andrea Jenkyns
• Rishi Sunak's pivot to net zero outlier kickstarts election campaign in all but name - Analysis by Christopher Hope
• 'Not the way to do business!' Lindsay Hoyle tears into Sunak as Speaker demands Prime Minister recall parliament over net zero

"You will only have to make the switch when you're replacing your boiler anyway and even then not until 2035."

An exemption has also been created for households hit the hardest which will prevent many from ever switching away from boilers.

The "no-strings-attached" boiler upgrade scheme, which provides assistance for those hoping to switch from gas models, also received a 50 per cent boost to £7,500.

The Prime Minister's announcement also included bringing to an end "heavy-handed measures" to tax meat, discourage flying, sorting rubbish into seven bins, car sharing and expensive insulation upgrades.

The deadline for banning new petrol and diesel cars has also been extended until 2035.

Former Home Secretary Dame Priti Patel said: "I think Rishi has effectively seen this fast-train that is coming his way around targets ... and the practical implications of that for the public."

She added: "The public has learnt something here about the real impact of net zero policies on them."

Addressing the issue of heat pumps, the Witham MP told GB News: "I think this whole obsession towards heat pumps is dangerous, I really do.

"I think heat pumps could also be a mis-selling scandal as well ... it's crazy to say to people if you've got a boiler you've got to rip out your boiler and put in a heat pump."

However, opposition MPs have criticised Sunak for supposedly watering down the Government's net zero stance.

Labour press suggested the Prime Minister is in the pocket of his predecessor Liz Truss.

Shadow Environment Secretary Steve Reed also told GB News: "He is throwing away the biggest economic opportunity in the 21st century and that is for Britain to lead the world in the green economy."

He also stressed the Labour Party would provide support for homeowners switching to heat pumps and invest in insulating houses.

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said: "This is not leadership from Rishi Sunak, this is putting the UK at the back of the queue as the rest of the world races to embrace the industries of tomorrow.

"The Prime Minister's legacy will be the hobbling of our country's future economy as he ran scared from the right wing of his own party.

"It is selfish and it epitomises his weakness. At the very time we need to stand up and lead, Sunak rolled over."