Freddie van Mierlo has called for households to receive more help to keep homes cool during extreme heat, with a new Bill seeking VAT relief for home cooling measures.
At a glance
| Who? | Freddie van Mierlo, Liberal Democrat MP for Henley and Thame |
| What? | A Home Cooling Bill presented to Parliament on 15 July 2026 |
| Main proposal | Zero-rating VAT for certain home cooling measures |
| Measures mentioned | Air conditioning, shutters, sail shades, awnings and other cooling adaptations |
| Grant proposal | A Cool Homes Grant to help vulnerable households adapt homes that overheat |
| Why now? | Recent heatwaves have highlighted health risks from overheating homes |
| Next step | The MP’s office says the Bill is due for Second Reading on 4 September |
The MP for Henley and Thame has introduced legislation calling for more support to help households keep homes cool during increasingly hot summers.
Freddie van Mierlo’s Home Cooling Bill was listed for presentation in the House of Commons on Wednesday 15 July.
The Bill seeks to provide zero-rating of VAT for certain home cooling measures and would require the Secretary of State to report to Parliament on the potential merits of funding local authorities in England to provide home cooling grants.
The proposal comes after repeated periods of extreme heat across the UK and growing concern that many homes are poorly prepared for rising summer temperatures.
What would the Home Cooling Bill do?
The Bill is aimed at making home cooling measures more affordable.
The measures highlighted by Mr van Mierlo include air conditioning, external shutters, sail shades and awnings. These sit alongside other passive cooling measures, such as improved ventilation and external blinds, which can help stop homes overheating before indoor temperatures become dangerous.
At present, HMRC guidance says the installation of certain energy-saving materials is zero-rated for VAT until 31 March 2027. That includes fixed air source heat pumps, which can in some cases provide summer cooling as well as heating. Other products that are not covered by the current VAT relief are generally treated differently.
Mr van Mierlo argues that as extreme heat becomes a more regular public health risk, home cooling should be treated as a practical safety measure rather than a luxury.
Why Oxfordshire is part of the debate
The issue has particular relevance in Oxfordshire, where heatwave risk is expected to rise as summers become hotter and periods of extreme heat last longer.
Mr van Mierlo’s office said 205,000 residents are living in the county’s highest heatwave-risk areas, with numbers expected to increase as heatwaves become more frequent, hotter and longer.
Oxfordshire County Council has also called for the Government to introduce a Cool Homes Grant to retrofit vulnerable homes at risk of overheating.
The council said homes that cannot be kept cool can increase health risks, including heart attacks, stroke, lung disease and severe mental illness.
It also warned that overheating is becoming a health inequalities issue, because people most at risk from heatwaves are often least able to afford effective adaptations and may be more likely to have health conditions, mobility limitations or social isolation.
County council also wants Cool Homes Grant
Oxfordshire County Council says it currently receives central government funding through the Warm Homes Local Grant to help homes retain heat in winter, but there is no dedicated equivalent for homes that overheat in summer.
The council wants the Government to consider expanding that approach to include a Cool Homes Grant.
Such a grant could help install passive and active cooling measures in vulnerable homes, including external shutters, blinds, improved ventilation, awnings and air conditioning.
The council has also called for a review of planning policies and building regulations that it says may constrain the use of external shading and ventilation measures.
Councillor Laura Gordon, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Economy, said in the council’s earlier statement: “England recorded its warmest June on record, with another heatwave hitting just two weeks later. This is not a one-off occurrence, but a new reality to which the UK must adapt.
“This is also a health inequalities issue, where those most at risk from heatwaves are often least able to afford effective home adaptations to prevent overheating, while also being more likely to have pre-existing health conditions, mobility limitations or social isolation.
“Without targeted investment there is a risk that climate adaptation widens health inequalities.”
Heatwaves linked to thousands of deaths
The call follows new research estimating that more than 2,700 people died from heat-related causes during the May and June 2026 heatwaves in England and Wales.
The rapid analysis, led by researchers from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Imperial College London and the Met Office, estimated around 550 heat-related deaths during the May heatwave and around 2,200 during the June heatwave.
The research also suggested that around 42% of the total heat-related deaths across both heatwaves were due to the additional heat caused by human-induced climate change.
The South East of England was estimated to have the highest number of excess heat-related deaths across the May and June heatwaves, with 549 in total.
Researchers said older people were most affected, with those aged over 85 accounting for around 60% of total estimated heat-related excess deaths across the two heatwaves.
MP says cooling is becoming a necessity
Mr van Mierlo said the current heatwave had shown how unprepared the UK is for a changing climate.
He said: “The current heat wave has brought into sharp focus how ill-prepared we are for the changing climate.
“The sad passing of many during this period is a reminder that cooling measures are not a luxury, they are a necessity to keep people safe.
“Residents in the South East are on the frontline of rising temperatures in the UK.
“The Home Cooling Measures Bill would support the most vulnerable to upgrade their homes to cope in hot weather, as well as providing a cost reduction for all households through the zero-rating of VAT.
“Air conditioning is going to be a reality we need to embrace especially for public buildings, but non-energy consuming measures like sail shades, external shutters and awnings can have a massive impact.
“Whilst other European countries like France are considering emergency measures the UK must do the same. The direction of travel is only one way, we can’t allow ourselves to be in the same position year after year.”
Passive cooling and air conditioning
The Bill highlights two broad types of cooling measure: passive cooling and active cooling.
Passive cooling aims to stop homes heating up in the first place. This can include external shutters, awnings, sail shades, reflective measures, ventilation improvements and planting or shading around buildings.
Active cooling includes mechanical systems such as air conditioning. These can be important for some homes and public buildings, particularly where vulnerable people are at risk, but they also use electricity and can increase demand during heatwaves.
That is why many overheating experts prioritise stopping heat entering a building first, before relying on mechanical cooling alone.
| Measure | How it helps |
|---|---|
| External shutters | Block direct sun before it enters windows, helping keep rooms cooler. |
| Awnings | Shade windows, doors and outdoor areas during the hottest parts of the day. |
| Sail shades | Create shaded areas and reduce direct solar gain on windows or patios. |
| Improved ventilation | Can help move hot air out and bring cooler air in when outdoor conditions allow. |
| Air conditioning | Can lower indoor temperatures directly, but uses electricity and may not be affordable for all households. |
| Reflective temporary measures | Can reduce direct heat gain in an emergency, but are not a long-term substitute for proper adaptation. |
What happens next?
The Bill has been presented in Parliament, but it is not yet law.
It would need to pass through further parliamentary stages before becoming legislation, and proposals involving tax or public spending usually need significant government support to progress.
The MP’s office said the Bill is due to have its Second Reading on 4 September.
Even if the Bill does not become law in its current form, the proposal adds to growing pressure on government to treat overheating as part of national housing, health and climate adaptation policy.
How residents can stay safer in hot weather now
While the policy debate continues, residents can take immediate steps to reduce heat risk at home.
Oxfordshire County Council advises people to stay out of the sun between 11am and 3pm, stay hydrated, keep children drinking little and often, and store medicines somewhere cool and dry unless they specifically need refrigeration.
The council says temperatures above 25C can increase health risks for babies and young children, older people, homeless residents, outdoor and manual workers, people in flats and those with long-term health conditions.
Keeping cooler at home
| Keep sun out | Close curtains, blinds or shutters on sunny windows during the hottest part of the day. |
| Use shade | External shading, awnings, trees or temporary shade can help stop heat entering the home. |
| Ventilate at cooler times | Open windows when it is cooler outside, usually early morning or later evening, if it is safe to do so. |
| Stay hydrated | Drink water regularly and encourage children and older relatives to drink little and often. |
| Check vulnerable neighbours | Older people, people living alone and those with health conditions may need extra support during heatwaves. |
| Plan ahead | Identify the coolest room, check fans or cooling equipment work, and know where to get help if someone becomes unwell. |
Why this matters for homes and public buildings
Much of the UK’s housing stock was designed to retain warmth during colder months, not to manage repeated periods of extreme summer heat.
Flats, poorly ventilated homes, top-floor rooms, homes with large south-facing windows and buildings without external shading can become uncomfortably or dangerously hot.
Schools, care homes, hospitals and community buildings also face growing pressure during heatwaves, especially where vulnerable people spend long periods indoors.
Mr van Mierlo’s proposal reflects a wider shift in the public debate: keeping people warm in winter remains essential, but keeping people safely cool in summer is becoming an increasingly urgent issue too.
FAQs
Who is Freddie van Mierlo?
Freddie van Mierlo is the Liberal Democrat MP for Henley and Thame.
What is the Home Cooling Bill?
The Bill seeks to provide zero-rating of VAT for certain home cooling measures and requires a report to Parliament on the potential merits of funding local authorities to make grants for home cooling measures.
What home cooling measures are being discussed?
Measures mentioned include air conditioning, external shutters, awnings, sail shades, blinds and improved ventilation.
Would the Bill immediately create a Cool Homes Grant?
No. The parliamentary listing says the Bill would require a report on the potential merits of funding local authorities to make grants. Mr van Mierlo and Oxfordshire County Council are also calling for government support for a Cool Homes Grant.
Why is this being proposed now?
Recent heatwaves have highlighted the health risks of overheating homes. Researchers estimate more than 2,700 people died from heat-related causes during the May and June 2026 heatwaves in England and Wales.
What is Oxfordshire County Council asking for?
The council has called for a Cool Homes Grant to retrofit vulnerable homes at risk of overheating, and for government to review planning and building rules that may restrict external shading and ventilation measures.
Are heat pumps already zero-rated for VAT?
HMRC guidance says the installation of specified energy-saving materials, including fixed air source heat pumps, is zero-rated until 31 March 2027. The proposed Bill seeks VAT relief for certain home cooling measures more directly.
When is the next stage of the Bill?
According to Mr van Mierlo’s office, the Bill is due to have its Second Reading on 4 September.
