Millions could face higher gas bills to cover cost of neighbours switching to heat pumps

POLITICS LATEST Andy Burnham's flagship ten-year plan for Britain 'a lot thinner than expected' 1793808531.591 Millions could face higher gas bills to cover cost of neighbours switching to heat pumps The typical bill could rise by nine per cent Sign up to the Money Newsletter I agree to receive updates and information about my account, the GB News Community, and related products and services from GB News. Email address Sign up By signing up you agree to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy and Community Rules.

Thank you for signing up! See the latest from GB News here . Choose GB News on Google - add us as a preferred source Choose GB News Support GB News Champion free speech and independent journalism while unlocking exclusive benefits. Support us Millions of households that remain connected to the gas network could see their bills climb by nearly a tenth over the next decade. The increase would come as a direct result of neighbours abandoning gas in favour of heat pumps.

Energy regulator Ofgem has warned that as many as seven million homes are expected to leave the gas network by 2034-35, switching instead to low-carbon heating systems. The mass departure could push a typical annual gas bill from its current level of £865 up to roughly £943, representing a rise of as much as 9.3 per cent. The Government has set a target of 450,000 heat pump installations per year by 2030 as part of its net zero ambitions.

Yet the financial burden of that transition is falling on those who stay on gas. Industry figures have condemned the arrangement as deeply unjust. Mike Foster, of trade association Energy and Utilities Alliance, told The Telegraph: "For those advocating replacing gas boilers with heat pumps the question they must answer is how to pay for disconnections and decommissioning fairly. Seven million homes are expected to leave the gas network by 2034-35 | GETTY "Simply charging those left on the gas network, likely the least well-off, to pay for the disconnection of those who can afford to buy and run a heat pump is inherently unfair."

Heat pumps cost an average of £5,408 to install, meaning wealthier households have overwhelmingly been the early adopters. Grants of up to £9,000 are available through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, but critics say uptake remains skewed towards better-off families. Shadow energy secretary Andrew Bowie accused Labour of "forcing through an expensive energy transition without taking responsibility for who pays the price." The mechanism behind the rising costs is straightforward.

When a household switches away from gas, it typically contacts its supplier to have the meter removed. After 12 months, network operators are then legally required to physically disconnect the service pipes for health and safety reasons. Roughly three-quarters of these disconnection costs are covered by gas network operators, who then recoup the money through charges on remaining customers' bills. At present, disconnections add only about £1 a year to the average gas bill.

But as millions more homes leave the network under government targets, that figure is set to grow substantially. When a household switches away from gas, it typically contacts its supplier to have the meter removed | GETTY Ofgem stated in a recent report: "Under current arrangements and without government intervention, the majority of these costs would be recovered through network charges paid by the remaining gas consumers." Both the Government and Ofgem sought to reassure consumers that steps are being taken to manage the transition.

An Ofgem spokesman said the scenarios outlined in its report were illustrative rather than forecasts, adding that the actual impact would depend on how quickly households move away from gas and how costs are distributed. The Government has pointed to its plans to remove standing charges from gas bills to help households relieve pressure | GETTY The regulator stressed that arrangements for leaving the gas network must "keep pace with the wider energy transition and ensure costs are shared fairly."

A Department for Energy Security and Net Zero spokesman said: "As more households move towards low-carbon heating, we are working with the sector to ensure this is done in a fair and affordable way for all." The Government also pointed to its plans to remove standing charges from gas bills, giving households greater control over their payments. Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter Money Half a million homeowners could see mortgage costs rise by £369 after Bank of England decision Money Ftse 100 makes surprise gain after US midterms shock sparks sharp overnight sell-off Money Wetherspoon to open up to 25 new pubs over the next year - multiple locations confirmed Money Poundland handed £12.5million rescue offer as bidder pledges to protect jobs Money Pension rule SCRAPPED as grieving families handed major boost in Budget Money Poundland update: No10 says owners 'not acting in the best interests' of staff as Tesco eyes 150 stores Money DWP unveils pension shake-up that could give 17million workers an income for life Money Nationwide launches market-leading savings account in boost for customers Money British Gas to resume force-fitting prepayment meters this winter after three-year suspension Money Rachel Reeves says £66billion tax rises left Britain better off Money Virgin Media O2 to axe thousands of jobs in £800million cost-cutting drive Money Ryanair workers face pay freeze as Michael O’Leary hits out at Labour Budget Money Andy Burnham confirms £380 tax boost for 400,000 households Exclusive Money 'HMRC wants £12.5k before I've opened the doors': Business owner risks family savings as Budget adds to costs Money Bank of England tipped to raise interest rates this week for first time since 2023 Money More than 830,000 low-income families to miss out on £100 energy payment Money NS&I announces two new £1million Premium Bonds winners for November 2026 - check if you've won Exclusive Money John Healey's 'quiet damage' unveiled as middle earners could face £5,000 tax hit Money Virgin Media O2 axing thousands of jobs in £600million cost-cutting drive Exclusive Money Pension savers warned against making 'unnecessarily costly' move after Budget tax changes Money Labour presses ahead with £350million undersea cable as Net Zero costs mount Money Energy bill warning: Millions warned of 'vampire devices' adding over £200 to bills - full list Money BP profits nearly QUADRUPLE amid Iran war as environmental groups slam 'obscene' amounts Money State pension tax boost explained: Who qualifies and how the £13,319 cut-off works Money Millions warned of £4,000 mortgage shock as interest rates tipped to hit 4% next week Money NatWest cuts 1,400 jobs as quarterly profit rises to £2.2billion Money BBC licence fee set to rise above £200 as millions of households stop paying Money Hackers steal £4.7billion worth of crypto in 'the largest bank heist in human history' Money Britain's rising benefits bill to wipe out £33bn raised through 'stealth tax' on workers, analysis finds Money Lloyds issues warning as mortgage costs could rise after John Healey's bank tax raid