I think I may have fixed my boiler but how could this have helped?
You have probably fixed the problem - at least temporarily.

The boiler requires that this condensation pipe is clear and unobstructed and removing the ice from the end has cleared the blockage. However, it's likely that the pipe will freeze up again - especially in this cold weather.

The solution is simple - insulate the pipe. Either use something like this - the pre slit stuff will make it easier to fit as the pipe will be clamped in a number of places. If you can't get hold anything that's the right diameter for your pipe at short notice, wrap the pipe in bubble wrap. That should be enough to keep it from freezing.