NEWS RELEASE – Boiler scrappage scheme

BOILER SCHEME: SNP RISK FALLING FURTHER BEHIND WESTMINSTER

Scottish Ministers were today urged by the Green MSPs to follow the lead set by UK Ministers, who announced the details (1) of their boiler scrappage scheme for England and Wales this morning. The scheme was a response to the Reheat Britain campaign, backed by Greens across the UK. (2)

The SNP administration will receive £11m in new funding as a consequence of the additional spending on green energy measures elsewhere in the UK. (3) However, this money is not ring-fenced, and, just as in last year’s Budget negotiations, SNP Ministers must decide whether or not to prioritise acting on fuel poverty, climate change and rising household fuel bills.

Patrick Harvie MSP said:

“Labour in London aren’t doing enough to tackle rising household fuel bills, fuel poverty and climate change, but the SNP are doing even less. John Swinney is getting a multi-million pound windfall because UK Ministers decided to fund a boiler scrappage scheme, and the SNP simply must put this money into a similar scheme to help Scots replace inefficient and expensive old heating systems.

“Older people and poorer people are particularly at risk during the kind of cold snap we’ve been experiencing this winter, and it is a disgrace that so many still have to choose between heating and eating. Scotland’s shivering while the SNP are just twiddling their thumbs.

“Last year we made the case that boosting home energy efficiency was the most urgent and cost-effective change the Scottish Government needed to make to their draft Budget. Unfortunately they still don’t seem to get it, and Scots in draughty, damp, expensive and unhealthy homes are paying the price.”

Notes

1. For information on the UK Government scheme, see:
www.direct.gov.uk

An additional £200m was allocated to energy efficiency and fuel poverty in the Pre-Budget Report. See:
www.hm-treasury.gov.uk

2. http://reheatbritain.org.uk/

3. The devolved administrations receive additional resources, known as Barnett Consequentials, when additional spending is allocated to services in England by UK Ministers. The £11m figure has been calculated by the Scottish Parliament Information Service, and is based on information provided by the UK Treasury.