Let's hope we made some good contacts @AllEnergy conference and...

Let's hope we made some good contacts @AllEnergy conference and this type of program can incorporate our Social Housing work with iPower.

Millions allocated to help heat homes
13/06/2013

Householders in every local authority in Scotland are to benefit from almost £50 million of funding which will make their homes warmer, more environmentally friendly and easier and cheaper to heat.

Housing Minister Margaret Burgess announced today (June 13) that Home Energy Efficiency Programmes for Scotland (HEEPS) funding has been allocated to all Scottish local authorities.

The investment, targeted at fuel poor households, will be used for the installation of energy efficiency measures such as solid wall, cavity and loft insulation.

The funding is expected to help lever around £125 million of investment from major utility companies to deliver the projects.

Mrs Burgess today visited a Dalkeith householder who has had external wall insulation fitted through previous HEEPS funding saving around £500 a year.

Housing and Welfare Minister Margaret Burgess said:

“The Scottish Government is determined to help householders stay warm and reduce their energy bills.

“Basic energy efficiency measures can make a huge difference to Scottish families who are struggling to make ends meet, allowing them to heat their homes more cost effectively.

“Today’s funding will see thousands more homes across Scotland receive new measures like solid wall insulation– helping to drive down the number of people living in fuel poverty.

“This further investment will also help to generate work and support jobs – providing a much needed boost to our economy.

“To help tackle fuel poverty we are actively working with councils and energy companies to ensure that Scotland continues to get its fair share of funding for efficiency programmes like these. Unlike the UK Government, we believe it is important to provide this type of funding, which is why we are committing around a quarter of a billion pounds to it in this spending review period.

“Rising energy bills remain a huge concern for this government and there is still funding available to local authorities. We urge councils to consider applying for additional support.”

Midlothian councillor Owen Thompson, cabinet member for housing, said:

“So far, we have organised external wall insulation for 200 private homes in Mayfield and the scheme has been very successful in helping local families.

“Our aim is to help people out of poverty in Midlothian and we are delighted to be involved in this project, which offers a reduction in household energy bills and excellent carbon savings benefiting the environment.

“Going forward we will continue to work with the Scottish Government on the HEEPS scheme and hope it will benefit many more householders throughout Midlothian in the months and years to come.”

Commenting on the HEEPS announcement, David Sigsworth Independent Chair of the Scottish Fuel Poverty Forum, said:

“This is just the start to the new programmes we need – allocations of funding to councils to enable them to put in place programmes to tackle fuel poverty where it is most needed.

“The Forum understands that not all of the available funding has been allocated to date and is encouraging councils to look at what further steps they can take to realise their fuel poverty plans.”

Householders who would like to know more about this and other Scottish Government funded offers can contact the Scottish Government’ s Home Energy Scotland hotline on 0808 808 2282 or visit www.homeenergyscotland.org

Additional Information

The £50 million funding is being delivered through the Scottish Government’s new Home Energy Efficiency Programme for Scotland (HEEPS), which was formerly known as the National Retrofit Programme.

Scottish Ministers have made available £60 million for area-based schemes to tackle fuel poverty. This funding represents the first allocation of that.

Local authorities will be expected to target areas of fuel poverty and work with Housing Associations, energy companies, installers, owner-occupiers and private rented landlords to ensure all households in that area receive an offer to have the energy efficiency of their home improved.

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2013/06/HEEPSfunding13062013