The Scottish government has announced an extra £1 million of funding for the Scottish boiler scrappage scheme.

The scheme was originally launched in May 2010 with £3 million-worth of funding, and offers eligible households £400 towards the cost of upgrading inefficient boilers, and replacing them with an Energy Saving Trust (EST) recommended high-efficiency condensing model.

The EST said that Scotland has "one of the most ambitious carbon dioxide emission reduction targets in the world", with an estimated 250,000 Scottish homes using boilers with efficiencies below 70%.

The Oil Firing Technical Association (OFTEC) has welcomed the news. Director general Jeremy Hawksley said: "This will mean a continued boost for sales of oil boilers, more work for technicians and money saved for householders on their fuel bills. High efficiency condensing models can save up 18% on the cost of heating bills.”