Housing and Welfare Minister Margaret Burgess has today confirmed that more than 300,000 households within Scotland are eligible for free insulation and heating.

Mrs Burgess added that the help would be available from 1st April.

The measures are part of the Energy Company Obligation in Scotland and are supported by a £16m investment from the Scottish Government.

The fund will help provide poorer homes with basic energy efficiency measures to help reduce heating bills.

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Speaking at the Chartered Institute of Housing annual conference in Glasgow, Mrs Burgess said: "Households need all the help they can get to keep their energy bills down. We are working closely with energy companies to deliver the new Energy Company Obligation which will help thousands of households across Scotland.

"Basic measures such as cavity wall insulation or a new boiler can make a huge difference to Scottish families who are struggling to make ends meet, allowing them to heat their homes more cost effectively."

The £16m package is part of a wider £79m energy efficiency and fuel poverty programme being implemented across Scotland.

(JP)