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Cautious Welcome for Welsh Boiler Scrappage Scheme
16th February 2010
As the Westminster Government confirms that a third of the vouchers available under the Boiler Scrappage Scheme in England have already been claimed, the Welsh Assembly is launching a similar scheme in scheme for over 60s in Wales.
The English scheme was launched in January to upgrade 125,000 boilers in England, and has been matched by many boiler and energy suppliers. Under the scheme, nearly 55,000 vouchers for up to £400 off the cost of a highly efficient A-rated boiler have been claimed, with around 70,000 vouchers remaining available.
The new Welsh scheme, which will launch on 1 April 2010, will provide £2.5 million to help 5000 Welsh households replace old, inefficient boilers. The scheme will provide vouchers worth £500 toward the cost of a new boiler.
Commenting on the introduction of the Boiler Scrappage Scheme in Wales, Nuria Zolle, Director for Nation Energy Action Cymru said, "We were particularly pleased to see an increase in the amount allocated to the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme by the Welsh Assembly Government as part of this week's announcement, which will make some difference to the lives of Wales' 320,000 fuel poor households.
"Following lobbying by NEA Cymru, the focus of the Welsh Boiler Scrappage Scheme on some of those most likely to be affected by a cold home - older people - is also very welcome. However we are disappointed that other vulnerable groups, such as families and people with a chronic illness, will not be able to benefit and that only those older people able to afford the difference between the £500 grant and full cost of a new boiler will be able to make use of the scheme."
