The Scottish Government has confirmed the latest round of its Green Homes Cashback scheme has opened for applications.

Additional Green Homes Cashback funding was first announced back in May.

The new phase will allow social landlords to apply for a share of £4.5m in funding for energy efficiency measures, as part of the Government scheme. It provides funding to social landlords and individual households towards measures such as boiler upgrades or home insulation. Councils and Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) will be able to claim up to a total of £250,000 to help pay for energy efficiency improvements to their housing stock.

Housing Minister Margaret Burgess is due to release more details later today, but she is expected to say: "Energy efficiency measures can make a huge difference to families who are struggling to make ends meet, and social landlords will now be able to apply for up to £250,000 in funding to help drive down the cost of tenants' fuel bills.

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"Scotland is outperforming the UK in the delivery of home energy efficiency measures that is saving households money, and the Green Homes Cashback scheme will save money on fuel bills and cut emissions.

"Rising energy prices remain a huge concern for the Scottish Government, and in total, we will spend almost a quarter of a billion pounds over a three year period on fuel poverty and energy efficiency."

David Stewart, Policy Manager from the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations, added: "The SFHA welcomes the announcement of the Green Deal cashback scheme, which provides a timely boost for housing associations and cooperatives as they look to improve the energy efficiency of their homes.

"While our members have the most energy efficient homes in Scotland, recent above inflation increases in domestic energy prices means that investment in measures that provide affordable warmth for tenants is a priority. The announcement of this fund is particularly welcome as it will support investment in the more expensive measures necessary to improve hard to treat homes, such as solid wall insulation.

"Hard to treat housing is a priority for social landlords who have already invested significantly in measures such as cavity wall insulation, double glazing and central heating in homes that are suitable for those measures."

(JP/IT)