With winter on the horizon, the Scottish Government is launching
a revamped programme to improve the homes of people living in
fuel poverty.
Warmer Homes Scotland is being relaunched with more funding and
more help for households to install a climate-friendly heating
system. Since its launch in 2015, the scheme has helped more than
35,000 older or lower-income households across Scotland to live
in warmer, healthier homes which are more affordable to heat.
The expanded second phase goes live on Monday 2 October – at the
start of Challenge Poverty Week.
Zero Carbon Buildings Minister said:
“We are now ramping up our support and making a long-term
investment in helping those in fuel poverty through the energy
transition – with up to £728m available over the next 7 years.
This means we can offer more support per household, allowing us
to deliver whole-house retrofit and install more measures in
individual properties. There will also be a focus on
climate-friendly heating where this is financially and
technically possible.
“This is an important element of our overall package of support,
sitting alongside our grants and loans for heating and energy
efficiency, which remain the most generous in the UK.
“We will continue to do all we can within the scope of our powers
and budget to tackle poverty and support those in greatest need.
We are committed to a heat transition that takes people with us
and that shows clearly why a rapid shift away from fossil fuels
is necessary. That transition can liberate people from the
insecurity of fossil fuel prices, and lead to warm and healthy
homes while tackling fuel poverty and climate breakdown.
“Only 10 days ago the UK Government signalled a significant
retreat from steps they could have taken to support changes in
home heating and tackle the climate crisis. In stark
contrast, we are committed to introducing legislation in this
parliamentary term and to supporting people through this
transition.”
Background
Warmer Homes Scotland
Warmer Homes Scotland forms part of the £1.8 billion committed
during the current five-year Parliamentary term to support the
heat transition.
Challenge
Poverty Week - The Poverty Alliance
