Thousands of jobs claimed to be at risk unless gas boilers are replaced with heat pumps

The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) said the UK was well placed to produce new products and capture a share of jobs and investment

Thousands of manufacturing jobs are at risk unless a new strategy is put in place to replace gas boilers with heat pumps, according to a think tank.

The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) said the UK was well placed to produce new products and capture a share of jobs and investment.

But it warned that not starting the process now would put 6,000 manufacturing jobs at risk, as the installation of boilers is phased out.

A "just transition" to heat pump manufacturing would reap huge economic rewards for UK workers, the IPPR said.

Its report said that heat pumps were a crucial element of the UK's just transition to decarbonise residential heating, moving away from gas boilers as they were more energy-efficient, can lower energy bills, and enhance energy security by reducing reliance on volatile gas markets in favour of domestic renewable power.

"The 2035 ban on the sale of boilers is essential for the UK to reach its commitments to be carbon neutral by 2050," said the report.

"The country needs to install at least five million heat pumps over the course of the next Parliament, and at least 19 million by 2050, but the UK is still disproportionately installing more boilers than heat pumps for every heat pump sold in the UK, 29 gas boilers are being sold."

Simone Gasperin of the IPPR said: "The UK stands out in Europe for its large gas boiler market and its related manufacturing base. However, with gas boilers being phased out to meet net-zero targets, this dominance is nearing its end."

"Despite this, the potential of an untapped market for heat pumps, combined with existing capabilities in heating and cooling manufacturing, places the UK in a strategic position to achieve a just transition."

"This shift could drive economic growth, protect skilled jobs, and achieve climate goals, but only with a coherent industrial strategy that aligns demand pulls with targeted business support measures."

A Department for Energy Security and Net Zero spokesperson said: "The energy shocks of recent years have shown the urgent need to upgrade British homes."

"We recognise there is much more to do on encouraging consumers to switch to low-carbon alternatives such as heat pumps."

"Through our Warm Homes Plan we will transform homes across the country by making them cheaper and cleaner to run, rolling out upgrades from new insulation to solar and heat pumps."