A total of £60m is to be allocated to councils throughout Scotland to make homes warmer and less expensive to heat.

The Home Energy Efficiency Programme for Scotland will allow local authority's to help fuel poor and vulnerable households with energy efficiency improvements. This can include cavity, soft wall and loft insulation.

It is understood £48m will be allocated on the basis of need, with the councils invited to submit bids to share in the remaining £12m.

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Housing Minister Margaret Burgess said: "The Scottish Government is helping people keep their homes warm. This £48 million will be distributed across Scotland to help thousands of households in the most fuel poor areas stay warm and cut energy bills.

"The Scottish Government can't control fuel prices but we are investing in energy efficiency for homes. We have invested over £300 million since 2009 to make fuel poor homes more energy efficient, and this year and next, we are spending £94 million to improve energy efficiency. Around one in three Scottish households, over 700,000, have now benefited from measures like new boilers or insulation.

"With winter weather taking hold across Scotland, I'd encourage anyone to seek free and impartial advice on how they can reduce their energy costs."

(JP/MH)