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A Cornwall man is calling on the next government to back greener fuels by scrapping VAT.

Steve Inglis, who lives near Liskeard in the South East Cornwall constituency, said he wanted to convert his old oil heating system to run on an environmentally friendly alternative such as hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO).

He was among a number of people who contacted the BBC through Your Voice, Your Vote to highlight the issue of affordable and sustainable fuel ahead of next week’s general election.

Mr Inglis said: “I would like the government, or whoever steps in, to remove VAT on HVO to allow us to make it an affordable alternative.”

The government said the use of HVO could remove up to 90% of net carbon dioxide (CO2) by significantly reducing nitrogen oxide, particulate matter and carbon monoxide emissions.

Mr Inglis said he had no access to mains gas because of his home’s rural setting and was relying on solar panels and his oil burner, which he said was nearing the end of its life.

He is now looking to spend £500 converting his existing boiler to run on HVO, which he said is substantially cheaper than heat pump alternatives.

“It provides a good solution, it doesn’t contribute to global warming and it’s a good solution for certain properties,” he said.

South East Cornwall Labor candidate Anna Gelderd said she would meet Mr Inglis to understand the proposal.

“A Labor government will make people better off, implement an energy transition through the establishment of GB Energy and put fiscal responsibility at the heart of our plan for the country,” she said.

Conservative candidate for South East Cornwall Sheryll Murray said: “I’m happy to look at VAT because clearly I’ve met a lot of struggling families in South East Cornwall and I know how hard it is for people when they don’t have mains gas or any alternative to oil”.

Liberal Democrat candidate for South East Cornwall, Colin Martin, admitted the price of fuel had always been a problem for rural households.

He said HVO was not a long-term solution but “could be a good transition fuel” and reducing VAT on biofuels “could be a good way forward”.

The BBC contacted the other candidates for the seat, including: