Millions of households right across the UK could potentially find themselves hit with fines of up to a whopping £10,000 for failing to replace their gas boiler.
It’s said that around 17 million UK homes still use gas boilers, but after it was revealed that almost a third of the country’s carbon emissions come from heating systems, ministers have warned that this must be rapidly cut if the country hopes to achieve its goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2050.
The government is therefore said to be discussing a cut-off date of 2035, when the use of gas boilers in existing homes would be phased out. Plenty of time… for most.
A selection of environmentally-friendly alternatives would be required instead.
It comes after reports that gas boilers will be banned in all new-build homes from 2023 – which is two years earlier than initially planned – and after the International Energy Agency (IEA) said last week that gas boilers should be banned from as early as 2025 to aid the fight against climate change.
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The @IEA just released the world’s first comprehensive roadmap for the global energy sector to reach net-zero emissions by 2050.
Our special report shows the pathway to net zero by 2050 is narrow but still achievable if governments act now.
According to Bloomberg News, it has been reported that government officials are planning to introduce penalties for those who do not comply with the planned eco rules, with enforcement options potentially including “the threat of financial penalties for non-compliance”.
If this presents itself as true, fines are expected to be at the centre of the net-zero plans due to be announced in the coming weeks.
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The IEA has also said that from now on, there is no place for new coal, oil, or gas exploration and supplies, and if the government adopts this advice, it will mean that all homes will eventually be required to have low-carbon alternatives to gas boilers fitted in their place.
So, what are the suggested alternatives then?
The first would be an eco-friendly heat pump – which has already faced criticism due to it’s largely unaffordable price that typically costs around £10,000 – and the other option would be to transform properties into electricity-only, with some homes in the UK already set up like this thanks to making use of electric-powered storage heaters, as opposed to radiators.
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There are currently around 30,000 heat pumps installed in the UK each year, but the government wants to significantly increase this to 600,000 per year by 2028.
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Heat pumps use a refrigerant to absorb natural heat found in the air, ground or water, which is then transferred to the cold water system in a house to heat it up and pump it to radiators and hot taps, and as the pumps also run on electricity, this can be sourced in more eco-friendly ways, including the use of solar panels.
A third option would be to install boilers that use hydrogen instead of carbonised gas, which is said to be much better for the environment due to the only by-product of burning hydrogen being water.
While nothing has been confirmed yet, many are speculating that the government’s unveiling of its net-zero plans expected in the coming weeks will bring answers to the conversation.
UK News
Manchester Gogglebox favourites the Malones announce the heartbreaking death of family dog
Danny Jones
Beloved Manchester-born and bred Gogglebox mainstays, the Malones, have announced the sad passing of another one of their family dogs, Bob.
The Rottweiler, who regularly appeared sitting on the sofa next to the ever-amusing Manc lineup.
As well as the Stretford-based Channel 4stars themselves, viewers up and down the country have been saddened by the news.
Grieving in her own post, mother Julie wrote, “We are heartbroken, RIP our beautiful Big Bob”, while youngest son Shaun shared a number of moving images of the precious pup, including a personal favourite clip from one of his cameos.
Writing in the caption, the 30-year-old said, “Today is the day we had to say goodbye to big Bob, absolute great dog like a big cuddly bear.”
Countless followers have since shared their condolences on social media, with several commenting, “run free over the rainbow”, while another user simply added, “Playing with Dave.”
For anyone not clued up on the show, Dave was another equally popular Rotweiller who unfortunately died back in 2023 at 12 and a half years old.
Even casual viewers will likely have seen the famous clip of him playfully mauling dad Tom Malone Sr. whilst wearing a dog mask. Speaking at the time, the family said: “There are no words to describe the pain we are feeling or how much we loved you, Dave.”
The Malones did adopt another dog named Tilly just three years ago, so there’ll still be a familiar and friendly Rottweiler face on your screens in future episodes of Gogglebox.
It’s never easy losing a pet, especially when it’s not your first.
Our thoughts are with the Malone family and, last but not least, rest in peace, Bob – we hope there are unlimited treats, walks and cuddles waiting for you.
Featured Images — Channel 4/Shaun Malone (via Instagram)
UK News
No trains are set to run through Stockport station for three weeks this summer – here’s why
Danny Jones
Commuters can expect some significant disruption to a major rail link this summer, as no trains are set to pass through Stockport train station for the best part of a month due to fairly sizeable maintenance worksnearby.
As a result, those catching the trains in and around the North West will have to make do with alternative services, diversions and rail replacement buses for at least three weeks.
With the Stockport station ‘Masterplan‘ officially announced in 2024, the key Greater Manchester connection is set for a major overhaul in the coming years, with the aim of turning it into a “modern facility” fitting of the town’s ongoing resurgence.
First up, it seems, is the long overdue replacement of the Greek Street roundabout bridge, which was built back in 1958 and has been in need of updating for some time.
⏳10 weeks to go❗️
From 2-23 August, trains won't run through Stockport while we rebuild the Greek Street railway bridge as part of a £20m investment in safer, stronger journeys
🚧Rail replacement buses will be in place and more information to come
— Manchester Piccadilly (@NetworkRailMAN) May 30, 2025
More details surrounding specific travel arrangements are set to be distributed to the public in the coming weeks, but Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) have confirmed they will be accepting train tickets on Bee Network buses in the meantime.
While the ticket office and underpass between Edgeley and the recently regenerated Stockport Exchange will remain open, the station itself will be virtually out of operation for three weeks in August.
At present, the works are scheduled to last from Saturday, 2-23 August, so many of those travelling through the town during this time may need to make alternative arrangements.
Issuing an update late last month, Network Rail’s project manager William Brandon said: “The work to strengthen Stockport is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make train journeys on the Manchester spur of the West Coast Main Line safer and more reliable.
“I understand that closing the railway through Stockport for 21 days will be inconvenient to our passengers, and I am sorry about this […] I’d advise passengers to plan ahead and allow extra travel time for their journey.”
The area in question. (Credit: Network Rail)
Network Rail clarified that while the Greek Street bridge is being demolished and the new one (which is set to last all the way up until 2145) is reinstalled, engineers have already been working closely with utility companies in the locale to safely divert gas, water, electricity and so on.
As for Avanti West Coast themselves, Stockport Station Manager, Lisa Magee, went on to add: “While there’ll be no trains to or from Stockport for 21 days […] Avanti West Coast teams will be on hand to support those making journeys via rail replacement bus.
“Together with Network Rail and other train operators, we’re finalising the timetable and will share more details in the coming weeks, so customers can plan their journeys in advance.”
“We’d like to thank customers for their patience and understanding, and as always, we strongly encourage them to check the National Rail website, as well as with their train operators, for the latest updates.”
This isn’t the only major travel update for SK announced as of late, either – something much bigger is coming to the borough as part of the Bee Network expansion.
Emily Sergeant -
25th May 2021 
