£6m is being given to Scottish households to install energy efficiency measures such as loft and cavity installation to prepare for the coming winter months.

The Scottish government will also be helping up to 10,000 households cut energy bills.

A cash back voucher scheme i going live this week, which will benefit up to 35,000 Scottish households.

Individual householders will be allowed to apply for £500 vouchers to go towards energy efficiency measures.

Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: "With temperatures dropping and colder weather beginning to bite, households across Scotland will be worrying about their winter energy bills.

"Solid action is absolutely imperative. That is why we have ploughed an additional £6m into providing up to 10,000 households with free insulation that will make their homes warmer and cheaper to heat and invested millions into a cash back voucher scheme that is due to go live later this week.

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"This is the kind of vital help which can make a real difference to those struggling to make ends meet and demonstrates we will do whatever we can within devolved powers to tackle fuel poverty.

Ms Sturgeon used the announcement to attack Westminster.

She said: "But our efforts are being held back by punishing price rises imposed by energy companies. The UK Government – who has responsibility for this area - is simply not doing enough to regulate the market, and this has to change urgently.

"With winter approaching, we need an end to mixed messages and confusion from Westminster, which frankly has done nothing to inspire confidence among worried householders."

Chair of the National Insulation Forum (Scotland), Wilson Shaw said: "The National Insulation Association warmly welcomes this announcement -it's really good news, not only for the thousands of households that will benefit, but also for the industry.

"It will really help insulation firms and their employees in Scotland, giving them greater continuity of work between current programmes coming to an end and the Green Deal and ECO getting going."

(IT)