In reaction to the government’s decision to delay the clean heat market mechanism by a year, Greenpeace UK’s policy director, Doug Parr, said:

“Blackmailed and bullied. The government’s willingness to cave to the price gouging of the fossil gas lobby and demands of climate sceptics really knows no bounds. This is yet another deeply damaging step backwards from the government on climate that puts our net zero targets in jeopardy and will leave the country paying more for its energy.

“We’re already way behind our European neighbours when it comes to switching to heat pumps, and they’re reaping the benefits of lower bills, fewer emissions, better energy security and more efficiently heated homes. Further delaying this inevitable and imperative transition will set industry alarm bells ringing, cause further damage to our already tanked economy, and could push gas imports up by as much as one fifth.

“The boiler bosses may be celebrating, but this craven failure by the government will only serve as another nail in the Conservative party’s election coffin. I hope Sunak feels it was worth it.”