Call for Nationwide Heat-Pump Rollout to Cut Fossil Use and Boost Jobs
A Green New Deal advocate urges the government to prioritize a rapid, country-wide heat-pump programme as the core of climate action and job creation.
The column criticises the government's slow emphasis on climate urgency, noting that optimism for Andy Burnham's premiership is waning among supporters. It contends that energy policy should shift from short-term fossil fuel concerns to an aggressive reduction of gas reliance through a devolved programme for every postcode. Central to this is a rapid, nationwide installation of heat and cooling pumps and broader building efficiency upgrades.
The author points to the recent redundancy of 12,100 energy-efficiency workers after Keir Starmer’s policy cut, with an additional 80,000 expected to lose jobs in the next twelve months, as a ready labour pool. Apprenticeship schemes are proposed to train new skilled workers and tackle youth unemployment. The piece is signed by Colin Hines, convener of the Green New Deal Group.
Why it matters
Accelerating heat-pump deployment could cut emissions, lower energy costs and create thousands of jobs.
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