Scotland’s most vulnerable households will get help to make their homes warmer and less expensive to heat as a result of a £103million package to tackle fuel poverty.
The funding includes a £65million for area based fuel poverty schemes out of which more than £15million will go to councils in the north and north-east.
There will be a £14million to provide homeowners with interest free loans of up to £10,000 for energy efficiency measures.
The Scottish Government will also launch the next phase of its Cashback scheme which will see £10million made available to homeowners and private tenants, and £5million for social landlords.
Through the scheme private sector households will be able to claim up to £5,800 for installations recommended by an energy advice report, and households in remote areas will be entitled to greater amounts to cover the increased costs they face.
Housing Minister Margaret Burgess said: “It is unacceptable that anyone should experience fuel poverty in Scotland which is why we are investing more than £103million to tackle this issue head on.
“Our new loan scheme will give homeowners the opportunity to apply for interest-free loans which will make it easier for them to take action and install energy efficiency measures in their properties. The loan can be used alongside the Cashback voucher.”
The £65million will be made up of grant funding to councils to develop and deliver poverty programmes. Aberdeen will get £2,438,000, Aberdeenshire £3,233,000, Argyll and Bute £1,987,000, Eilean Siar £1,733,000, Highland £2,379,000, Moray £985,000, Orkney £1,343,000, and Shetland £1,048,000.