Hope that Boiler Scrappage Will be Extended to NI

The new Boiler Scrappage Scheme, which was first announced on 9th December in the Pre-Budget report has been launched in England. The government hopes that the new initiative will help households cut their energy bills, reduce CO2 emissions and support thousands of jobs. It anticipated that up to 125,000 households in England could benefit from the scheme, the cost of which is thought to be around £50 million.

Those homes which qualify will receive £400 towards the cost of upgrading their boiler  to a high efficiency A-rated one or a renewable heating technology.

The Energy Saving Trust has highlighted that this will help to save in the region of 140,000 tons of CO2 per year - equivalent to taking 45,000 cars off the road.

Since the announcement of the scheme's launch in England, campaigning has begun for a similar scheme to be introduced here. Ulster Unionist Assembly Member for Fermanagh & South Tyrone, Tom Elliott MLA yesterday urged the Executive to consider extending the boiler scrappage scheme to Northern Ireland.

Here at Citizens Advice we are also calling on the Department for Social Development, which will be responsible for the administration of any new scheme here, to put this matter out to public consultation as soon as possible.

Director of Information Services at Citizens Advice Paul Herink said "Citizens Advice feels strongly that everyone should be able to efficiently heat their homes. As Northern Ireland is continuing to experience economic difficulties and increasing fuel poverty a scheme such as this could be of real practical benefit to households currently experiencing the hardship of extremely cold homes due to a combination of the present cold snap and inefficient home heating systems."