Chancellor's Spring Statement: BMF Statement

15 March 2019


If the Government is serious in wanting to cut carbon emissions from homes, they ought to talk to the BMF - because it is BMF members who make and deliver the majority of materials and products used to de-carbonise today’s housing.

John Newcomb, BMF Chief Executive, gave the BMF’s reaction to the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s announcement that a new Future Homes Standard will be introduced to end fossil-fuel heating in new homes by 2025.

In his Spring Statement to Parliament, Mr Hammond confirmed the Government’s intention to adopt recommendations made by the Committee on Climate Change last month.

John Newcomb, BMF Chief Executive, said, “Investing in homes to fit energy-efficient and water-saving measures is central to our members’ businesses. They distribute, on a daily basis, the insulation, heating AND hot water systems, thermostatic controls, underfloor heating and heat pumps on which Whitehall has sought advice from industry about over the last ten years”.

In its report, the Committee on Climate Change said no new homes should be connected to the gas grid from 2025 at the latest. Homes should be heated using low-carbon energy sources (like heat pumps) and have ultra-high levels of energy efficiency.

Mark Bradley, Managing Director of Plumbase, and BMF Plumbing and Heating Forum Chairman, said, “We look forward to the consultation in due course and the BMF will give industry input. Yesterday’s news does not spell the end of gas boilers. Technological advances in green fuels has led to a higher proportion of home heating using biomethane or hydrogen. And if heat pumps are the preferred option, our job as merchants is to explain to politicians how our supply chain works to help to meet future low-carbon objectives”.

The BMF strongly supports the “Fabric First” concept and wants a more coherent, long-term framework that combines better insulation, efficient boilers and low-carbon micro-generation.