The Scottish Government has revealed more than £9 million has been awarded to improve energy efficiency in homes and businesses across Scotland.

The funding is part of the Scotland's Energy Efficiency Programme (SEEP) Pathfinder Fund, which aims to pilot new ways of driving down energy costs as well as tackling climate change.

A number of projects across 11 local authority areas have now secured SEEP funding, which will help shape wider work when the programme is rolled out further in 2018.

Schemes include installing overcladding and insulated rainscreen at seven multi-storey blocks in Aberdeen, upgrading insulation in hundreds of properties in Edinburgh and improving energy efficiency measures across three NHS properties in South Lanarkshire.

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The funding was announced by Communities Secretary Angela Constance during a visit to a West Lothian householder, who has seen fuel bills decline due to Government-funded energy efficiency measures.

Ms Constance said: "Since 2008 over one million energy efficiency measures have been installed in almost one million households across Scotland which has helped make homes warmer and easier to heat.

"The Scottish Government will continue to prioritise tackling fuel poverty and remains committed to helping those most in need.

These SEEP pilot projects will build on our existing support for households and also improve the energy efficiency of community centres, charities, businesses and commercial properties.

"Tackling fuel poverty is a priority for us, but we need to be creative if we want to make a real lasting difference."

Energy Minister Paul Wheelhouse added: "By taking a coordinated approach to improving buildings across the commercial, public and industrial sectors we are not only boosting the economy but will be able to substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions which will help us meet our ambitious climate change targets.

"This is part of our overall investment of over £1 billion by 2021 in energy efficiency which aims to make homes and buildings warmer, improve health outcomes and create a supply chain across all of Scotland which will support around 4,000 jobs a year once the programme is fully operational."

(LM)