Hundreds of thousands to lose heat pump subsidies in Reeves’s budget plan

Exclusive: Supporters say grants largely going to middle-class households, but experts warn move will slow transition from gas boilers

Hundreds of thousands of homeowners will lose their right to subsidies for eco-friendly heat pumps as a result of government plans to bring down energy bills at the budget.

Rachel Reeves, the chancellor, is planning to announce a series of measures to bring down energy bills amid concerns the country's stubbornly high cost of living is driving millions of voters to Reform UK.