Support to help mitigate against future energy price increases has been announced by the Scottish government, including measures to improve the energy efficiency of homes and tackle energy costs.
In response to the cost-of-living crisis, three Scottish government energy efficiency and heat programmes will be boosted from April.
This includes expanding the Home Energy Scotland (HES) advice service, which provides free, impartial advice to all households in Scotland on making homes warmer, greener and easier to heat.
Capacity will be increased by 20% to support an extra 12,000 households a year, while a service offering bespoke advice to the most vulnerable households will be doubled.
The eligibility criteria of the Scottish government Warmer Homes Scotland fuel poverty programme will also be widened to include more groups within the 60-75 years age range.
The level of funding individual fuel poor households could benefit from through the local authority-led Area Based Schemes is also being increased.
Zero Carbon Buildings Minister Patrick Harvie said: ‘Everyone needs a safe, warm place to call home. I am acutely aware that soaring energy prices will be causing many people to worry about the cost of their fuel bills and it is vital that people struggling with energy bills get the information and support they need, while governments step up with appropriate actions.
‘We are using all powers and resources available to us to support people through the cost of living crisis and the Scottish Budget last month included a package of measures to provide immediate help with rising bills. At the same time, powers relating to energy markets remain reserved and we have repeatedly called for the UK Government to urgently take further, tangible actions to support households.
‘However, immediate help also has to go side by side with longer term action. Investing in energy efficiency is the best buffer against the ebb and flow of global energy prices. That is why we are boosting energy efficiency programmes today and over the whole parliamentary term.’
Photo by Chanhee Lee
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