Taxpayers are footing big bill for heat pump handouts to landlords

TAXPAYERS are paying tens of thousands of pounds so wealthy home owners can install heat pumps at their properties.

- By Steph Spyro Environment Editor

One person has received £105,000 in grants for their 14 properties, a Freedom of Information Act request has revealed.

Another person made 29 applications to the Government's Boiler Upgrade Scheme and still received 10 grants, amounting to £75,000.

Mike Foster, of the Energy and Utilities Alliance, said: “The net zero agenda loses all credibility if it leaves working families behind. It is shocking to see pressure placed on the poor for benefits to flow to the rich.

Poverty

“The Government must reassess to stop taxpayer money lining the pockets of the wealthy and ensure help goes to those who genuinely need it.”

The BUS grant was introduced to help those who could not afford the upfront costs of a heat pump to make the switch by giving them a discount of up to £7,500.