Housing Minister Margaret Burgess has outlined the Scottish Government's plan to tackle fuel poverty and reduce Scotland's carbon footprint.

Scotland's Sustainable Housing Strategy, which is published today, highlights the work the Scottish Government is doing to help people reduce household energy bills while also unveiling its plans for the future.

By 2020, all homes are to have loft and cavity wall insulation where this is possible and every home with gas central heating will have an energy efficient boiler with appropriate controls.

Between 2009/10 and 2011/12 the Scottish Government invested almost £150m in fuel poverty and energy efficiency programmes, and over the current spending review period is investing around £250m in these initiatives.

-- Advertisement --

Since 2008, more than 540,000 Scottish homes have received over 629,000 free or subsidised cavity wall or loft insulation measures.

Speaking at Holyrood Connect's Sustainable Housing conference in Glasgow, Ms Burgess said: "It is my belief that everyone should live in a safe warm home that doesn't cost the earth to heat.

"Rising energy bills remain a huge concern for this government. That is why over 2013/14 we are investing £79 million to help people to keep their energy bills down. This funding will see thousands of homes across Scotland receive new measures like solid wall insulation and better heating systems.

"This strategy is a significant milestone. It sets out the work we have done to date to help improve the energy efficiency of our homes, and lays out our vision for a greener, cleaner Scotland.

"To help improve energy efficiency and tackle fuel poverty at the moment we are actively working with councils and energy companies to ensure that Scotland continues to get its fair share of funding for efficiency programmes."

(JP/MH)