We congratulate Miatta Fahnbulleh MP on her appointment and look forward to working constructively with her and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero as the Government develops policies to deliver affordable, secure and sustainable heating, moving to the next phase of the UK’s energy transition. 

The challenge is not simply how to decarbonise heat, but how to do so in a way that is affordable, practical, and resilient for households, businesses and public-sector organisations. Achieving net zero will require a diverse range of technologies working together, with policy driven by evidence, real-world performance and consumer outcomes rather than favouring a single solution. 

Modern sustainable biomass heating has an important role to play alongside electrification and other renewable heat solutions. For many off-grid homes, farms, rural businesses, commercial buildings and public-sector sites, sustainable biomass, which is a proven and safe technology with a heritage stretching back many decades, can provide a reliable and cost-effective renewable heating solution where electrification may be technically challenging or prohibitively expensive. 

The biomass sector already supports thousands of skilled jobs across forestry, fuel production, manufacturing, engineering, installation and servicing. These are high-quality jobs rooted in local economies and rural communities, supporting domestic supply chains and contributing directly to the Government’s growth agenda. 

The benefits extend beyond heat decarbonisation. Sustainable biomass heating helps create markets for low-grade timber and forestry residues, supporting active woodland management, improving forest resilience and encouraging long-term investment in the UK's forestry sector. These outcomes deliver benefits that extend beyond decarbonisation, supporting active woodland management, improving biodiversity, increasing forest resilience and encouraging long-term investment. 

Modern biomass appliances bear little resemblance to those installed two decades ago. Today's certified systems are highly automated, exceptionally efficient and designed to comply with some of the world's most demanding emissions standards. 

As government reviews future heat policy, it is important that decisions are based on current technology performance and robust scientific evidence, and the WFHA encourages the Minister to: 

• maintain a technology-neutral approach based on evidence and lifecycle carbon performance 

• recognise the role of sustainable biomass where it represents the most appropriate solution 

• provide long-term policy certainty that gives consumers and businesses confidence to invest 

• work closely with industry to ensure policy reflects practical delivery on the ground 

The UK's journey to net zero will be stronger if it makes full use of the country's diverse renewable energy resources. Modern sustainable biomass heating can contribute to lower emissions, stronger rural economies, better managed woodlands and greater energy resilience. The WFHA looks forward to working with Minister Fahnbulleh and her department to ensure these benefits are fully recognised as the UK's future heat strategy is developed.