Ed Miliband handing out billions in grants for heat pumps but ZERO to systems with air conditioning despite Britain's record breaking heatwaves

Ed Miliband is handing out billions in grants for heat pumps while no funds are being set aside for air conditioning systems, despite record-breaking heatwaves.

Temperatures across the board reached a new high of 37.7C, beating the previous June record from the infamous summer of 1976.

The UK has traditionally been slow to adopt air conditioning, but hotter summers are placing greater strain on buildings designed primarily to retain heat.

However, key Conservative figures have accused the energy secretary of trying to stop "people acquiring air conditioning", instead focusing on heat pumps, with new figures being shared exclusively with GB News from Facts4EU and Stand for our Sovereignty.

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Environmentally friendly air-con is available in the UK as part of the heat pump system, which also provides heating and can include hot water and is energy neutral in most circumstances.

In short, an "air-to-air" system heats and cools a house using air, unlike the more traditional "air-to-water" systems. This is the fundamental difference that allows air-con to be provided as part of the installation.

Late last year, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero announced heat pumps with air conditioning would become eligible for state subsidies in the UK.

The grant for "air-to-air" heat pumps was set at £2,500, one-third of the value of the £7,500 available for the "air-to-water" variety (which features no air-con) or even £9,500 if replacing a heating oil or LNG system.

Essentially, Labour is offering the £2,500 grant, but at the same time they have significantly increased the certification standards required for these systems, meaning many installers are currently not eligible.

In a statement released on April 24 of this year, the Department said: "On April 1, a Statutory Instrument was laid to amend the BUS (Boiler Upgrade Scheme) regulations, which will come into force on April 28."

However, they went on to say: "Please note that all installers participating in the BUS must be Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) certified and accredited to install the relevant technology. However, MCS certification is not yet available for AAHP (ie. Air-to-Air Heat Pump) systems."

Official figures obtained by Facts4EU show many applications have been received and how many grants have been made for "air-to-air" systems which are both environmentally friendly and include air-conditioning.

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Obstacles have been put in the way due to new certification requirements for installers, the delays in allowing any grants at all, and the fact that any grant would in any case be one-third of the amount for a system without air-con.

Former Conservative Cabinet Minister Lord Redwood said: "Ed Miliband is the worst kind of net zero Puritan killjoy.

"He wants to ban you from buying a new petrol car and to make it more and more difficult to enjoy the freedoms of owning and using any personal transport. He wants to cut your enjoyment of meat and dairy products and make you buy a heating system that is much dearer than your gas boiler and far less effective in cold weather.

"Now we are having some hot days he makes clear he wants to stop people acquiring air conditioning. Open the windows and swelter in the hot air is the government advice.

"Facts4EU are right to highlight his policy of misery for the many in the heat. Why do we have to watch as other advanced countries relax at home in the cool whilst we toss and turn at night in hot bedrooms?"

On top of this, Labour insists all possibilities (such as opening windows) be explored before permission can be granted.

In fact, Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan’s "Plan for London" specifically states_: "The increased use of air conditioning systems is not desirable."

Lord Redwood said: "The government says it wants to go for growth and spread prosperity more widely. To do that it needs to get behind people and companies who want to improve the lives of the many by making the luxuries of the few affordable to far more of us.

"Air conditioning is available for most in the US and is catching on fast in some European countries. In the UK just five per cent have it. The UK government tries to stop the rest of us keeping cool at home with its net zero anti-growth opposition to affordable air conditioning. I say let the market compete and provide."

The former senior Tory continued: "Air conditioning is a luxury that should become the norm, as central heating did after World War II.

"This government wants to keep the best things for the few ultra-rich that remain in the UK after their tax attacks.It also wants us to rely on imports to keep our carbon count down.

“They see not making air conditioners in the UK for the home market as another way to make the UK a leader in carbon reduction!

"They should see it is another way of denying us growth and jobs. They are deliberately blocking us from aspiring to US living standards and comforts.”

The Government has been approached for comment.

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