Question
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the statement of 9 December 2009, Official Report, column 365W, on the pre-Budget report, when the boiler scrappage scheme will become operational; what the (a) eligibility criteria and (b) application process will be for the scheme; whether the scheme will be open to applications from Scotland; and if he will make a statement.
Answer
The Greener Boiler Incentive scheme is being implemented by the Department of Energy and Climate Change, which is working to launch the scheme at the earliest opportunity in 2010.The incentive will be available to all households in England replacing a working G rated boiler with a high efficiency boiler or renewable heat technology, and application details will be published in due course.The scheme will be available in England only, as the encouragement of energy efficiency other than by prohibition or regulation is a devolved matter in Scotland and Wales, and in Northern Ireland responsibility for energy policy, including energy efficiency, is also a devolved matter.