Thousands of households across Scotland will be offered loft and cavity wall insulation to help lower fuel bills and prepare for winter, the Scottish Government announced today.

Nineteen local authorities across Scotland will benefit with around 200,000 households due to be contacted over the next few months.

Low-income households will be offered free insulation, with higher-income households receiving a discounted deal. The package of measures will help households save, on average, 50 pounds a year on fuel bills and significantly cut carbon emissions in the home.

Backed by 15 million pounds of Scottish Government funding, the scheme will create and sustain employment opportunities for energy advisors, insulation manufacturers and installers.

Visiting the Superglass factory in Stirling where recycled glass bottles from kerbside collection points are being manufactured into insulation materials for use in Scottish households, Housing and Communities Minister Alex Neil said: "Offering householders a means to keep the heat in is a great way to help families, the elderly and others to save money.

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"If we have a winter like last winter this will be more important than ever.

"And it's fantastic to see Scottish manufacturers using innovative methods to produce eco-friendly insulation materials.

"This is an excellent example of the Scottish Government working with Scotland's green industry to stimulate our economy, save households cash and drive down carbon emissions."

Alex McLeod, Chief Executive Officer of Superglass, said: "I am delighted that the Scottish Government is supporting home insulation as the most cost-effective method of achieving energy efficiency targets in Scotland.

"As the sole manufacturer of insulation in Scotland we hope to see substantial benefit from the scheme. Superglass is well positioned to utilise available capacity to support the demand the scheme creates, which, together with other wider initiatives, should further secure additional employment in our business."

Douglas Sinclair, Chair of Consumer Focus Scotland, added: "This expansion of the Home Insulation Scheme is a welcome development for consumers who want to make their homes more energy efficient and save money.

"Our research has shown that area-based energy efficiency schemes can be an effective way of engaging with consumers and communities to offer energy efficiency advice and practical measures, helping them to make their homes warmer and reduce their energy bills."

(GK/KMcA)