Labour MP Bill Rammell has urged local people in Harlow to take advantage of the Labour Government's boiler scrappage scheme to get a new boiler during the cold weather.

It is intended that the scheme will sustain work for the heating industry during the recession, save families around £200 per year on fuel bills and help the environment.
 
Up to 125,000 households in England with working “G-rated” boilers can from today apply for a voucher which will entitle them to £400 off the price of a new, modern “A rated” boiler or a renewable heating system, like a biomass boiler or a heat pump. The Government’s action has already triggered some companies to complement, and in some cases match, the offer and it is expected others will follow suit - similar to the successful car scrappage scheme launched last year.

Bill Rammell MP said: "You only need to look at the weather we have had this week to see why having a good boiler is so important.”

"This Labour Government is making sure that people in Harlow can afford to get a new boiler now, to replace their old boilers that are bad for the environment and cost households more in energy bills. With this Government's boiler scrappage scheme, households could get help to save £400 on the price of a new boiler and around £200 per year on their bills. Some companies have even complemented or even matched the Government’s offer.”

“This scheme is further evidence that this Labour Government is supporting people during this period of wintry cold weather. In contrast, in the 1980’s Tory Minister Edwina Currie told pensioners just to “Wear woolly hats and long johns” in cold weather.”

"I am urging everyone in Harlow who has an older boiler to consider using this scheme to upgrade their boiler and lower their bills."

The boiler scrappage scheme is introduced following news that 62,300 people eligible for cold weather payments in the Andrewsfield weather station area (includes Harlow) will receive two payments of £25 this year following spells of extreme weather. This is in addition to the older person’s Winter Fuel Allowance of between £125 and £400 this year.