The Aberdeen Affordable Warmth scheme has received a £10,000 donation from gas pipeline operator Scotland Gas Networks (SGN) to help city residents in fuel poverty to keep warm.

Aberdeen Affordable Warmth, which has been running since 1999, is aimed at city owner-occupiers on low fixed-incomes, who have little or no capital behind them, whose assets are tied up in their house and who are in fuel poverty.

The scheme helps about 200 home owners annually using a £250,000 revolving loan fund, but each year it identifies a small number of householders who fall outside of the Scottish Government grant scheme, have no financial ability to cover the costs of the works required to make their homes easier to heat and keep warm, and are unable to take out a loan.

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The SGN donation will enable Aberdeen Affordable Warmth to provide grants to these people to help them make their homes more fuel-efficient. It will be used to help Aberdeen Affordable Warmth clients who qualify for Scotland Gas Networks' Assisted Connections scheme and don't have a gas supply in their home.

Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure convener Councillor Kate Dean said: "This is great news and I am very pleased that SGN is supporting Aberdeen Affordable Warmth in this way.

"This generous donation will make a considerable difference to those who are genuinely struggling to heat their homes and stay warm, but who don't meet the criteria for a government grant.

"Getting gas heating fitted in a home and making it more energy efficient makes it much cheaper and easier to heat and eases financial pressures on those who are struggling."

Priority is given to those householders who are least able to afford to keep their homes warm.