EDINBURGH, January 5 /PRNewswire/ -- SNIPEF (The Scottish Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers' Federation) which represents nearly 700 plumbing and heating businesses in Scotland (employing nearly 3500 operatives) has urged the Scottish Government to follow the lead of Westminster and introduce a Boiler Scrappage Scheme in Scotland.

The plea follows the launch of such a scheme in England today (5 January 2010). The scheme is offering a GBP400 cash incentive to those householders who wish to upgrade their central heating boiler and has been viewed as a welcome boost to the sector which has been badly hit by the economic recession.

SNIPEF Director Robert Burgon said By introducing a similar scheme in Scotland it will mean the Scottish Government will have a great opportunity not only to help with fuel poverty by reducing the large number of inefficient boilers which exist, but also to help to reduce Scotland's carbon footprint.

Robert Burgon added The Energy Savings Trust which is administering the scheme in England has advised that the installation of an efficient heating system is an effective way of reducing household energy bills and CO2 emissions, as domestic heating accounts for 14 per cent of the UK's CO2 emissions.

Notes for editors 1 SNIPEF (Scottish Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers' Federation) was established in 1923 and has just under 800 member businesses, which employ nearly 4500 operatives.

SOURCE: Scottish SOURCE: Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers' Federation

CONTACT: For more information contact Robert Burgon on +44(0)131-225-2255or Alan Wilson on +44(0)7801-741351, Alan.Wilson@snipef.org.