Scotland's home insulation scheme gets underway today.

Thousands of people living in poorly insulated houses will now get more help to make their homes greener and lower their fuel bills.

Households will be offered free energy audits, advice on becoming more energy efficient and free or discounted loft and cavity wall insulations. Those with existing loft insulation, will also be offered free top-up loft insulation.

A mix of urban and rural areas within ten local authorities across the country will be visited by doorstep energy assessors, providing energy saving advice and encouraging residents to sign up for insulation measures.

Backed by £15 million of Scottish Government funding, in its first year, the scheme will help create and sustain up to 900 jobs including employment opportunities for energy advisors and insulation installers.

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Joining energy assessors in Glasgow today, Housing and Communities Minister Alex Neil said: "Making Scotland's homes better insulated will be key to achieving our ambitious climate change targets.

"By offering householders help with making their homes more energy efficient, people will have the opportunity to do their bit for the environment.

"Importantly it will help make homes warmer, reduce fuel bills, safeguard existing jobs and create new employment opportunities."

Mike Thornton, Director of Energy Saving Trust Scotland added:"The Home Insulation Scheme can make a real difference to households.

"This will make it easier than ever for householders to insulate their home. From providing a home energy audit and energy efficiency advice, to installing the insulation, we will guide people through the whole process.

"The scheme also presents good value to householders, who can expect low-cost insulation measures which will save them money but also reduce CO2 emissions."

The areas to be covered this year include island councils, city suburbs, rural towns and surrounding villages, remote rural towns and a whole city scheme.

(GK/BMcC)