People across the UK reportedly face spending an extra £170 a year on gas bills amid new government plans.

Bills are set to rise by nearly £170 as part of a new initiative set aiming to hit zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Last week, Boris Johnson said Britain was aiming to produce “clean power” by 2035 as part of the country’s goal of reaching net zero carbon emissions.

Salisbury Journal: Boris Johnson said Britain was aiming to produce “clean power” by 2035. (PA)Boris Johnson said Britain was aiming to produce “clean power” by 2035. (PA)

Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng insisted that by decarbonising the UK’s power supply, the Government would ensure that households are less vulnerable to swings in fossil fuel markets.

According to The Times, a new strategy will be published before the Cop26 climate conference in Glasgow next month, which commits the Government to cutting the price of electricity and imposing a levy on gas bills to fund low-carbon heating.

£170 added to gas bills by 2023

The Government will release a series of consultations before going ahead with the plan, which is likely to start in 2023 and could add £170 a year to gas bills, the paper reported.

The strategy will reportedly include measures to boost the sale of heat pumps, which according to the GMB union costs £8,750 on average before VAT – the equivalent to almost a third (31%) of the average household’s entire annual income.

A spokesman for the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy told the Times: “We’ll set out our upcoming heat and buildings strategy shortly. No decisions have been made.”

It comes as rising energy costs have prompted industry leaders to warn the Government their factories could stop production or permanently close.

Salisbury Journal: It comes as rising energy costs have prompted industry leaders to warn the Government. (PA)It comes as rising energy costs have prompted industry leaders to warn the Government. (PA)

UK consumers can expect 30% energy bill price hike next year

Analysts have predicted UK customers could see their energy bills rise by 30% next year.

Research agency Cornwall Insight has claimed further volatile gas prices and the potential collapse of even more suppliers could push the energy price cap to around £1,660 in summer.

The forecast is approximately 30% higher than the record £1,277 price cap set for winter 2021-22, which commenced at the start of October.

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