SNP
MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Alasdair Allan, has today welcomed the launch of
“Warmer Homes Scotland”, a £224 million Scottish Government scheme which he
said is “helpful in tackling one of the Western Isles’ biggest problems”.
The
scheme is designed to provide funding to help people make their homes warmer
and more comfortable by installing a range of energy efficiency measures. The
scheme was officially announced yesterday by the First Minister, Nicola
Sturgeon, as she visited a community centre in North Lanarkshire.
Over the next seven years, Warmer
Homes Scotland will install measures such as insulation, heating and domestic
renewables in households identified as fuel poor. This will help as many as
28,000 people reduce their fuel bills.
Assistance
is available to homeowners and private sector tenants who have lived in their
property for at least six months and will focus on those on low incomes,
provided they meet the eligibility criteria.
Commenting,
Alasdair Allan said:
“This
is very welcome news for homeowners and private tenants across the Isles as the
summer draws to a close and we begin to look towards winter. Fuel poverty
remains more widespread here than in any other area in Scotland.
“One
of the key factors associated with fuel poverty is low income. The UK
Government’s seemingly relentless assault on the welfare state has left
families and vulnerable groups struggling to keep their homes warm. By keeping
the focus on lower incomes this scheme seeks to help those caught between
unchecked energy companies and Tory austerity.
“A
recent report from the Chair of the Scottish Fuel Poverty Forum stated that
Scotland suffers from being tied to the UK Government’s Energy Company
Obligation (ECO) schemes. Energy policy remains an issue reserved to
Westminster, and despite having some of the highest levels of fuel poverty, the
islands are effectively excluded from a large part of ECO. One of the key
recommendations of the report was a full implementation of the Smith
Commission’s proposals on devolving responsibility for spending Scotland’s
share of Energy funds.
“If
we are to work towards eradicating fuel poverty, it is clear that we will need
a uniquely Scottish solution. Today’s announcement comes off the back of the
Scottish Government establishing a Rural Poverty Task Force to find an easier
way for people in rural and islands communities to heat their homes. Since 2009
more than half a billion pounds have been invested in home efficiency measures,
though everyone acknowledges the need to keep this pressing issue at the top of
the political agenda.”
