| The Chancellor of the Exchequer has announced | | | | gas boiler. This figure has not been stated from |
| that the government will be introducing a new | | | | any official sources yet but it is likely to be |
| scheme aimed at increasing the number of | | | | around £2,000 before they will qualify for |
| energy efficient central heating systems in | | | | the grant. |
| operation in households around the UK. The | | | | However there has been criticism of the scheme |
| Scrappage scheme was announced in the | | | | already by both industry insiders and climate |
| Pre-budget report as a way for families using old | | | | change activists. The plumbing sector has |
| gas boilers that are inefficient to get a | | | | predicted that there are almost 4 million old boilers |
| replacement central heating system installed at a | | | | which qualify for Scrappage under the scheme |
| cheaper cost. | | | | even though there is only enough finds to see |
| The full details of the scheme have not yet been | | | | 125,000 boilers being replaced. |
| published as the government is still in talks with | | | | The Chancellor also announced more budget for |
| the plumbing industry. However, the plumbing | | | | the Warm Front scheme in a separate statement |
| industry is likely to be favourable to this proposal | | | | which would help another 75,000 homes, however |
| seeing as it has been calling for a stimulus from | | | | this still leaves 2 million homes with inefficient |
| the government to help with declining sales. This is | | | | central heating systems. |
| a similar situation to the car Scrappage scheme | | | | And those who expected tougher action on |
| which occurred in 2009 and led to thousands of | | | | climate change have been left disappointed by the |
| people trading in their old carbon emitting cars for | | | | Chancellor's timid approach to cutting carbon |
| new greener vehicles. | | | | expenditure. They expected the pre-budget |
| What the Chancellor has told us is that there will | | | | report to call for tougher action against non-green |
| be enough funds to help 125,000 households | | | | industries but have been left dissatisfied. |
| replace their boilers in a scheme that looks set to | | | | However for those homes which are currently |
| cost the treasury 50 million pounds. A grant of | | | | using an old boiler and had thought about |
| approximately £400 will be given to | | | | exchanging it, this announcement has come just |
| households who are spending a certain amount on | | | | at the right time so that you can save yourself a |
| central heating installation and getting rid of an old | | | | few hundred pounds. |