Today sees the start of the boiler scrappage scheme in Scotland, following a successful launch in England.

From today, up to 5,000 households in Scotland can start to claim £400 off a new boiler.

The Energy Saving Scotland advice network will begin to issue £400 vouchers towards the installation of a certified energy saving boiler, with the scheme operating on the first come, first served basis.

Scotland’s Energy Minister Jim Mather said the scheme will help people “live in greener homes which cost less to run. This scheme will also provide a stimulus for the heating industry, supporting jobs at this crucial time.””

Replacing 5,000 boilers will save around 5,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year, the equivalent to taking around 2,000 cars off the road.

In England, all of the 125,000 vouchers that take £400 off the cost of replacing an old boiler were claimed by March 26. Of these, 97,283 have had the work completed and have sent in details to the Energy Saving Trust, and of these, around 58,177 have received the £400 rebate after paying up-front to have the work done.

In Wales, vouchers worth £500 have been available since April 6. However, this is only open to those aged 60 and over in order to target those more vulnerable to fuel poverty.