Boiler scrappage extension rejected

Pleas for an extension to the boiiler scrapp age scheme have been rejected by Chancellor Alistair Darling.
In his last Budget before the election Mr Darling did introduce measures for housebuilders, but there was no more money for the replacement of G-rated boilers.
The boiler scrappage scheme is now closed to new applicants, the Government said on Friday.
Stamp duty exemption will now be raised from £125,000 to £250,000 for the next two years to help first-time buyers. Mr Darling said the rise in the exemption level would help nine out of 10 first time buyers.
But to pay for it, stamp duty on homes above £1 million will be raised to 5 per cent.
Barratt chief executive Mark Clare said: “87 per cent of our customers pay £250,000 or less for their homes. We are pleased that many of them will now have the opportunity to save
thousands of pounds thanks to this measure which will help strengthenthe housing market.”
In the Budget speech, Mr Darling also made a series of changes to tax. A proposed 3 pence hike in fuel duty will now be phased. It will increase by 1 pence in April, with a 1 pence increase in October this year and again in January 2011.
In his Budget speech, the Chancellor also said that he would not increase the main rate of
capital gains tax, as some had predicted, but would increase “entrepreneurs’ relief”, a relief which allows entrepreneurs to avoid paying CGT below a certain threshold.
He has doubled the threshold to £2 million. Business rates will also be cut, for one year from October. The Chancellor said the move would help half a million small businesses.
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Boiler scrappage scheme closes but discounts still available

The government’s £400 boiler scrappage scheme is now run out of funds, but energy companies are now offering discounts.

The boiler scrappage scheme for England is now closed.
A total of 125,000 households have now applied for the £400 discounts on the price of a new boiler, after the £50m scheme was launched in January.

The scheme’s been a great success

Energy minister Lord Hunt said: “The scheme’s been a great success and is already helping people cut down on their fuel bills. An ‘A-rated’ energy efficient boiler can help save around £200 a year off fuel bills and reduce emissions.
"The scheme has also provided a much needed boost to England’s plumbers and boiler manufacturers, helping to sustain work for the 130,000 installers and up to 25 UK-based boiler manufacturers throughout the economic recovery.”
However, households can still receive discounts for old boilers from energy firms.
During the scheme, British Gas, E.On, Npower and Scottish & Southern all offered to match the government discount and some of these firms are maintaining their £400 boiler discounts.
Scottish & Southern is keeping its £400 boiler scrappage discount and is also offering two years Shield Cover boiler insurance worth £396.
From April 1st, British Gas is offering a £200 boiler discount and one year’s free HomeCare 200 boiler insurance worth £204.
Customers who buy through British Gas before 30 May 2010 can also receive interest free credit for a year.
Npower’s scheme provides a £400 discount on boilers over 10 years old, compared the government scheme that offered discounts on inefficient G-rated boilers.
Npower chief executive Kevin Miles said: “The scrappage scheme has proven to be extremely popular.
“However, there are still approximately four million households with G-Rated boilers in the UK, which is why we are pledging to continue Npower’s boiler scrappage scheme.”
In Wales, the Welsh Assembly Government’s own boiler scrappage scheme will start running from 6 April with a £500 discount.
In Scotland, the Scottish Government has pledged £2m towards boiler scrappage schemes through its Energy Assistance Package scheme.
http://www.energychoices.co.uk/boiler-scrappage-scheme-closes-but-discounts-still-available-2903102.html