THE PRIME MINISTER and Ed Miliband have kickstarted a national scheme to upgrade household heating systems to cut carbon, save money on fuel bills and sustain work for the heating industry.

Shona has welcomed the scheme.

'In this area, there are a great many people with inefficient heating systems - all to evident with the current freezing weather. This scheme coupled with other initiatives, such as Warm Front, will be a real boost to many families.

'It also shows that the Government continues to invest and protectn British industries and jobs.'

Key points

Up to 125,000 households in England with working 'G-rated' boilers can from today (5 January) apply through the Energy Saving Trust for a voucher which will entitle them to £400 off the price of a new 'A-rated' boiler or a renewable heating system like a biomass boiler or a heat pump.

The Government's Boiler Scrappage Scheme will:

1 Help sustain work for the 130,000 installers and over 25 UK-based boiler manufacturers.

2 Save money - household's energy bill could be cut by between £200 and £235 a year.

3 Save carbon - replacing 125,000 G-rated boilers should save in the region of 140,000 tonnes of CO2 per year. This is the equivalent to taking 45,000 cars off the road.

5 January 2009