Sarah Calls for a Boiler Scrappage Scheme
The current cold snap being experienced across the whole of the UK has brought into sharp focus the difficulties faced by those households which are in fuel poverty.
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Temperatures in December were at their lowest for almost three decades prompting many households to crank up their central heating. However for many people, this is not an option as they struggle to budget for increased fuel bills while still keeping food on the table.
With climate change estimated to lead to more unpredictable weather patterns in future, cold snaps like the current one could become a more common occurrence. It is therefore vital that steps are taken to improve our ability to endure such conditions by making our homes more energy efficient.
One such step was taken by the UK Government last week when it launched the boiler scrappage scheme. Under the scheme households in England and Wales will be offered £400 towards replacing old boilers with new energy efficient models.
125,000 households across England and Wales are set to benefit from this scheme but the Scottish Government has thus far ruled out similar proposals for Scotland despite the fact that a reported £11.5 million will be available to them through Barnett consequentials associated with the scheme.
I have tabled a Parliamentary motion urging the Scottish Government to consider launching a similar scheme which could benefit 12,000 homes across the country. I have also launched an online petition which you can add your name to here.
There are a number of benefits which this scheme would bring. For individual households, the installation of a new, energy efficient boiler could save as much as £235 a year on energy bills helping to alleviate the effects of fuel poverty.
For the plumbing industry in Scotland, the scheme would help secure jobs for manufacturers, retailers and installers of central heating systems providing vital orders during a time of economic downturn.
Last but by no means least the scheme would be good for the environment with estimates suggesting that the current proposals for England and Wales will reduce CO2 emissions by 140,000 tonnes a year - the equivalent of taking 45,000 cars off our roads.
The Scottish Climate Change Act has given the Scottish Government the tools to start taking positive steps towards tackling climate change. It is time to see these first steps being taken and I want to see the Scottish Government match the UK Government's commitment to tackling climate change, cutting fuel poverty and helping the economy.