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ScottishPower has agreed to work with Ministers on a targeted £10 million programme to improve energy efficiency in Scotland.
The programme will upgrade insulation and heating systems in homes in specific areas of the country. ScottishPower will work with the Scottish Government, councils and other agencies to identify those most in need. Further details of how the scheme will operate will be confirmed later this summer.
The news comes as Finance Secretary John Swinney today met ScottishPower UK Retail Director Raymond Jack and CEO of ScottishPower Generation John Campbell to discuss the company's recent price increases.
Mr Swinney said: "ScottishPower's price increases remain deeply concerning and I again reiterated that to the company.
"Living in fuel poverty is a harsh reality for far too many households in energy rich Scotland. The Scottish Government's fuel poverty and home insulation schemes have visited over one in five of Scotland's homes, and we have helped over 200,000 people on low incomes reduce their energy bills.
"All power companies need to play their part and do everything possible to mitigate the impacts of price rises, especially for vulnerable customers. ScottishPower's £10 million scheme to improve energy efficiency is a small but welcome step towards making bills more manageable for thousands more households.
"The Scottish Government will now work with ScottishPower, councils and other agencies to ensure that ScottishPower can fulfil its obligation and make the biggest impact on those in Scotland who need it most.
"I await an update from Ofgem on their actions to address unacceptable energy price rises and actions to further protect consumers."
Raymond Jack from ScottishPower said: "We are looking forward to working with the Scottish Government and delivering a co-ordinated programme that will deliver energy efficiency measures and bring real benefits to those in need. The Scottish Government will help us target communities to improve energy efficiency and work on a street by street, home by home basis."
(GK)
