You may have heard that in the recent budget the SNP government finally agreed to commit £2 million to replacing worn out boilers in Scotland.

This will bring Scotland into line with the rest of the UK and it will provide a boost to the economy as well as help cut pollution. There is no good reason for the delay but people like you have forced this change on them - so thanks.

Order books are down for Gas Safe plumbers and installers in the Scotland; this scheme will help them get through the recession.  Around 12,000 Scottish homes are eligible, so matching the UK scheme would cost around £4.8million - less than half of the extra funds available - and save over 15,000 tones of carbon dioxide every year.

A boiler accounts for 60 per cent of carbon emissions from a gas-heated home. The EST estimate replacing a Band G boiler will save 1.26 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year in a family home.

Finally by replacing a Band G rated boiler with a new Band A rated condensing boiler and better controls, household bills can be cut by up to a quarter, according to the Energy Saving Trust (EST). In a family home that could mean a saving of £235 a year.

Our campaign has played a vital role in getting this scheme implemented in Scotland. However, until the details of the scheme are completely clarified, I will be working hard to ensure that as many people as possible benefit from the programme.

Sarah Boyack
Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs

Labour MP for Edinburgh North and Leith Mark Lazarowicz said:

"There is no reason why the SNP should exclude Scotland from this important scheme.

"Labour is prepared to help families though the winter by upgrading old, polluting boilers.

"The SNP needs to put aside political differences and work with the Labour Government and the Scottish plumbing industry to make this happen. It is a devolved matter and their responsibility

"Our homes account for almost a quarter of carbon emissions so tackling old, polluting boilers is a key issue for everyone.

"I have been contacted by representatives the plumbing industry in Scotland, many of whom are furious that the SNP are not taking the action they should."