The scheme, which has been campaigned for by plumbers groups, is similar to the car scrappage scheme.

But, only applies to around 125,000 households in England estimated to have working ‘G-rated’ boilers, who can from today (January 5) apply through the Energy Saving Trust for a voucher.

The voucher will let them get £400 off the price of a new, modern ‘A-rated’ boiler or a renewable heating system like a biomass boiler or a heat pump.

The Government hopes the scheme, originally announced in the last budget, will help industry, cut carbon and make it easier for people to pay for improved boilers.

Gordon Brown said: “Today’s announcement will slash household energy bills and carbon emissions while providing an important boost for the British heating industry.

“The Government’s new scrappage scheme will help to secure 250,000 jobs across the tens of thousands of small and medium businesses involved in boiler manufacture, sales and installation that form a vital component of Britain’s low carbon economy.

“The scheme shows how this Government continues to invest in the British industries and jobs of the future.”

Roger Webb from the Heating and Hot Water Industry Council, the trade association for the Heating industry said: “We strongly welcome the initiative to replace old inefficient boilers.

“We have been campaigning diligently for a long time and given the importance of meeting the government’s emission targets this will make a significant difference.

“Householders are naturally reluctant to replace a working boiler even though it is wasteful on energy and so an incentive to do this is vital.

“We are delighted that the government is giving the green light to enable householders to replace an old inefficient boiler with a new energy efficient model and by doing so recognising that a new boiler can really improve energy efficiency.”

Luke Walsh

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