WIREDGOV

More than 300,000 poorer households will be eligible for free insulation and heating from April 1st, Housing and Welfare Minister Margaret Burgess said yesterday. 

These measures are part of the Energy Company Obligation in Scotland supported by a £16 million investment from the Scottish Government to provide homes with basic energy efficiency measures to help reduce heating bills.

The £16 million package is part of a £79 million energy efficiency and fuel poverty programme being implemented in Scotland this year. 

Speaking at the Chartered Institute of Housing annual conference in Glasgow, Mrs Burgess said:

“Households need all the help they can get to keep their energy bills down. 

“That is why today I am allocating £16 million to extend the Energy Assistance Package for a further two years to ensure more homes across the country become warmer and more energy efficient – helping to drive down the number of people in fuel poverty. 

“We are working closely with energy companies to deliver the new Energy Company Obligation which will help thousands of households across Scotland.   Our schemes have been designed to maximise the benefit to Scotland from joint investment.

 “Basic measures such as cavity wall insulation or a new boiler can make a huge difference to Scottish families who are struggling to make ends meet, allowing them to heat their homes more cost effectively.

“It is my belief that everyone should live in a safe warm home that doesn’t cost the earth to keep.

Stuart Margerrison, Director of Fuel Poverty at Scottish Gas said:

“Scottish Gas welcomes the fact that the Scottish Government has extended its support to the Energy Assistance Scheme which will fit alongside the other fuel poverty schemes in Scotland.”

Neil Clitheroe, ScottishPower CEO of Retail and Generation, said:

“We welcome the announcement of £16m of funding from the Scottish Government to work alongside our Energy Company Obligation (ECO) activity. At ScottishPower, we are committed to spending a substantial amount of our ECO funding in Scotland and this commitment from the Scottish Government will go a long way to helping us deliver affordable warmth to thousands of homes across the country.”