Elderly people in Scotland have received a record number of free central heating systems in their homes, official figures confirmed today.

The Central Heating Programme delivered a total of 14,430 systems in 2008-2009, the highest number ever installed in private homes by the programme.

During the same period waiting lists were almost halved and the numbers of those waiting longest fell by more than two thirds, and the average waiting time was reduced to around five months.

Under the Warm Deal Programme, insulation measures have been installed in 6,018 private homes, exceeding targets by around 1,000. And all applicants in the Western Isles, Orkney, and Shetland who had been waiting four months or more as at November 30, 2008 received a central heating system, where reasonably practical, by the end of March 2009.

On April 6, after ten years, the central heating and warm deal programmes were replaced with the £60m Energy Assistance Package.

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In Rutherglen today Housing and Communities Minister, Alex Neil said: "For the second year running record numbers of central heating systems have been installed in private homes by this Government.

"Because of better targeting, backed by record investment, the poorest and most vulnerable elderly have benefited. As the curtain comes down on the central heating and warm deal programmes, the £60m Energy Assistance Package will take centre stage delivering more help to more people."

In 2008-2009 Scottish Gas - the managing agent - delivered 14,331 free central heating systems, while local authorities had delivered 99, the highest number ever delivered to private homes by the programme.

In 2007-2008 , 14,369 systems were installed in private homes - 14,203 by the Scottish Gas and 166 by local authorities. Under the previous administration, in 2006-07, there were 10,238 central heating installations carried out in the private sector.

In 2008-2009, waiting lists fell by more than 40% from 9,331 at March 31, 2008 to 5,500 by the end of March 2009.

Over the same period the number of elderly people waiting more than nine months for a system to be installed has dropped from 800 to 224. Waiting times have also reduced, with the time from application to installation averaging only 151 days in 2008-09 compared to 188 days in 2007-08.

The Energy Assistance Package replaces the Central Heating and Warm Deal programmes. It will provide a one-stop shop approach to reducing fuel poverty, helping people receive their full benefit entitlement, reduce their fuel bills and offering central heating and insulation.

(GK/JM)