Orkney and Fife is to launch a pilot scheme offering interest free loans for solid wall insulation later this year.

The pilot will increase the uptake of solid wall insulation while cutting bills, tackling fuel poverty and reducing emissions.

Homeowners in Orkney and lower income homeowners in two areas of Fife, will be able to access loans of up to £15,000, to be paid back over a maximum of 10 years.

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Many homes, particularly those off the gas grid which tend to have higher heating costs, are the so-called 'hard to treat' properties.

Energy Minister Fergus Ewing said: "We want to create a truly low carbon Scotland, reducing emissions and creating new jobs in the energy efficiency industry. By tackling areas off the gas grid, the pilot will tackle fuel poverty and help householders cut their bills. Solid wall insulation on a large scale has to be part of that and this pilot scheme in Orkney and Fife will help incentivise the uptake of solid wall insulation."

(JG/GK)