A new energy efficiency standard, expected to save tenants money on their household energy fuel bills, has been launched.

The initiative could save social housing tenants – whose homes meet the new Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing (EESSH) – an average of £210 a year.

The EESSH aims to improve the energy efficiency of the social housing stock in Scotland, as well as helping to reduce energy consumption, fuel poverty and carbon emissions.

Housing Minister Margaret Burgess officially launched the scheme on Friday during a visit to a housing association development in Linwood, which has benefited from investment through Home Energy Efficiency Programmes for Scotland (HEEPS).

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Speaking ahead of the visit, the Minister said: "Achieving the new Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing is expected to save social housing tenants £210 annually on average, helping to reduce the impact of rising energy prices.

"In addition to helping to reduce fuel poverty, the EESSH will also help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and contribute towards ambitious climate change targets.

"Scotland is outperforming the UK in the delivery of home energy efficiency measures that save tenants money, and the introduction of this standard will help enhance our performance for many of the poorest households in Scotland.

"Nonetheless, rising energy prices remain a huge concern for this government, and we will spend almost a quarter of a billion pounds over a three year period on fuel poverty and energy efficiency."

(JP/MH)