Foulkes calls for Scottish Boiler Scrappage Scheme
Mon 11th Jan 2010
One of a number of things that the Chancellor announced in his recent pre-budget report was a scheme designed to help hardworking families reduce their heating bills. With a grant of £400, it is now easier for families to upgrade their boilers to a more efficient system ensuring that they can stay warm in these wintry months and reduce their heating bills.
Unfortunately, this scheme is only for England and Wales because the powers needed to do it are devolved to the Scottish Parliament and we have yet to hear whether the Scottish Government plans to introduce a similar scheme. Lothians MSP George Foulkes has written to John Swinney urging him to follow suit following a huge amount of casework he has received from pensioners, students and plumbers all keen to see this scheme introduced in Scotland. Having also signed Edinburgh Central MSP Sarah Boyack's motion on the issues, George Foulkes said "Scotland will receive an additional £11.5 million following the UK Government's announcement because Barnett consequentials. The Scottish Government would be absolutely crazy not to introduce a similar scheme in Scotland. If they don't, I will be asking some very serious questions about what they have chosen to do with the money instead."
If you'd like to help progress this campaign, why not email your other Lothians MSPs asking them to sign up to Sarah Boyack's motion:
S3M-05491 Sarah Boyack (Edinburgh Central) (Lab): That the Parliament notes the launch of the Boiler Scrappage Scheme by the UK Government, a scheme that will offer a £400 incentive to encourage households to update inefficient boilers; further notes that the scheme will benefit up to 125,000 households in England and Wales, helping to reduce CO2 emissions while at the same time reducing fuel bills, and help to secure 250,000 jobs at small and medium companies that make, sell and install boilers; urges the Scottish Government to implement a similar scheme across Scotland, given the reported estimates of £11.5 million in Barnett consequentials being available, and considers that this decision would be of significant benefit to 12,000 homes in Scotland that would be eligible for such a scheme and would create jobs in the Scottish plumbing industry.
Tags: , , Environment.
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