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<p>The Government is planning to publish a <em>Heat and Buildings Strategy</em> in
due course. This will include information on the Government’s approach to the transition
to low carbon heating through a comprehensive policy package comprising targeted regulatory,
market-based and public investment measures.</p><p>In transitioning to low carbon
heat, it will be important that future costs are allocated in a way that is fair to
all consumers and incentivises them to use cost-effective low-carbon technologies.</p><p>As
announced in the Energy White Paper last December, we will shortly issue a call for
evidence on affordability and fairness in the energy market which will explore these
issues further. This will include looking at policy costs placed on gas and electricity
prices and gathering evidence on the extent to which these act as a significant barrier
to the deployment of low-carbon technologies such as heat pumps.</p><p>In order to
ease consumer costs, the Government has also been providing financial support through
schemes such as the domestic Renewable Heat Incentive. In addition, from April 2022,
the Clean Heat Grant will provide support to households switching to low carbon heating.</p><p>In
respect of rural homes in particular, we recognise that many homes in rural areas
that are not connected to the gas grid use high-carbon heating systems such as oil
so decarbonising this stock will be vital to meet our net zero ambitions. The recently
launched Home Upgrade Grant, backed by an initial £150 million of funding will support
energy efficiency upgrades and low carbon heating for low-income households living
off the gas grid in England, including in Shropshire.</p>
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