'Scots missing out on boiler scrappage cash'

Published on Wednesday 23 December 2009 20:26

THE Scottish Government last night faced demands to ensure a central heating boiler subsidy scheme is extended to Scotland.

The call came from small firms which said the scheme's extension would boost the economy and help to cut pollution. And Labour said Scotland was being frozen out of the scheme, a claim denied by the government.

The boiler "scrappage" scheme, announced by the Chancellor in his Pre-Budget Report, will offer grants in England and Wales of up to 400 to replace old boilers.

Andy Willox, Scottish policy convener for the Federation of Small Businesses, called on the Scottish Government to follow suit. He said: "The 'greener boiler' incentive is good news for the environment and the householder, but it also has the scope to provide work for local businesses."

Mr Willox said the Scottish Government stood to gain extra cash from Westminster as a consequence of cash spent on the scheme in England and Wales.

Labour MP Mark Lazarowicz said: "There is no reason why the SNP should exclude Scotland from this important scheme."

He claimed many in the plumbing trade were "furious" that the SNP was not acting on this.

The Scottish Government said: "It is just wrong to suggest the Scottish Government has advised the Scottish plumbing industry that the scheme will not operate here. We have done no such thing."