Greens welcome move towards energy-efficient white goods

Comet, the electrical goods retailer, is offering its customers a 20% discount if they trade-in old white goods appliances for a new model. The pilot scheme by Comet will run until the 14th of September.

The UK has roughly 15 million fridges, freezers and washing machines that are over ten years old. Darren Johnson, the Green Party's trade and industry spokesperson, said: "A white goods scrappage scheme will only be effective in reducing energy if there is a commitment to stop selling poorly-rated goods. Otherwise, people just risk trading in one energy-inefficient appliance for another.

We also need a more flexible VAT rate that takes account of the energy rating of household appliances."