Glasgow SNP MSP Anne McLaughlin has welcomed the vote in the Scottish Parliament which will secure £2 million funding to support a boiler scrappage scheme on top of the £60 million which has already been invested in the Energy Assistance Package to tackle fuel poverty.

In contrast the Labour party voted against this measure as part of the overall Scottish budget thus threatening a scheme they previously supported and advocated.

Describing the funding as a boost for pensioners and those facing fuel poverty in Glasgow Anne McLaughlin said: "The SNP is committing in full the £2 million Barnett consequentials we received as a result of UK Government expenditure on its boiler scrappage scheme to support the Scottish Energy Efficiency Action Plan.

"This will bring together existing schemes to replace inefficient boilers with broader energy efficiency measures.

"With one of the coldest winters in Scotland for decades this is good news for people in Scotland. However Labour has turned its back on this scheme by voting against the budget.

"Considering how they were previously calling for the introduction of this scheme this is appalling hypocrisy on their behalf.

"If one issue can be held up to show how Labour have little principles and are driven by an irrational hatred of the SNP it is this one.

"Faced with voting for the scheme they called for or voting against the SNP Government they put party politics before the welfare of those people facing fuel poverty."

Notes:

1. The SNP Government is committing in full the £2 million Barnett consequentials received as a result of UK Government expenditure on its boiler scrappage scheme to support the Scottish Energy Efficiency Action Plan which will be published in the Spring, bringing together existing schemes to replace inefficient boilers with broader energy efficiency measures.

The Scottish Government will receive approximately these consequentials in 2010 – 11 as a result of the UK Government’s announcement of an additional £20m on boiler scrappage as part of the Pre-Budget report.  We are committing this amount in full.

2. Labour MSPs previous support for the scheme can be read here.