Government plans to introduce a boiler scrappage scheme have been dismissed as a gimmick after it emerged that a start date for the programme had yet to be set.

Based on the car scrappage scheme which was introduced to help the struggling motor industry at the height of the recession, plans to bring in a version of the policy for boilers were announced by Alistair Darling, the Chancellor, in the pre-Budget report earlier this month.

The Department for Energy said that the scheme, which would provide a £400 incentive for householders trading in an old boiler, would be introduced "early in the New Year" and had been warmly received by many in the industry. But Charlie Mullins, Managing Director of Pimlico Plumbers, claimed that the Department had failed to respond to repeated requests to disclose a start date, and warned that those on low incomes may be unable to take part in the scheme. He said: "Given that a new boiler costs around £2,000, Labour's £400 subsidy is only going to help people who could have afforded a new boiler in the first place."

Philip Hammond, shadow chief secretary to the Treasury, added: "Not only is the scheme now exposed as little more than a gimmick, but even if it were to become operational it would not help the poor." A spokesman for the Department for Energy said: "The Government's boiler scrappage scheme has received widespread support from industry and consumer groups. "Some companies are planning on making their own offers in a similar vein that will help families make the switch to more modern energy efficient boilers. "This will kick-start a nationwide effort to save energy and cut carbon, whilst helping to sustain jobs. We will launch the scheme early in the New Year."