Government Commits £64m to Helping Scots Reduce Energy Bills

The Scottish government has committed to spending £64 million next year to help people in all parts of the country reduce their energy bills.

The money is being allocated in support of efforts to make homes more energy efficient, partly so people pay less to their energy suppliers but also to reduce the scale of carbon emissions that Scots are collectively responsible for.

Around £55 million was given out in backing to the same scheme last year, with the extra £9 million intended to help ensure that many more homes can be rendered more energy efficient in the coming months.

Local authorities will be provided with the relevant financial support they need to deliver upgrades to energy efficiency in their areas, with households struggling most to pay their energy bills intended as being the main beneficiaries of the initiative.

Overarching plans drawn up by the Scottish government have created a blueprint that intends to see some £1.6 billion worth of investment made into making buildings nationwide more energy efficient over the next five years.

It is also hoped that close to one million homes across Scotland will be powered by energy sources involving low or zero carbon emissions by 2030.

Announcing the plans to boost funding for the heat and energy efficiency scheme, Michael Matteson, Scotland’s net zero and energy secretary, said the government is looking to be proactive in tackling both fuel poverty and climate change.

“We are committed to rapidly scaling-up action but doing so in a way that ensures that our fuel poverty objectives and our commitment to tackling climate change work together, ensuring a fair and just transition to net zero,” he said.

“Reducing emissions from heating our homes is one of the most important things we can do to ensure we become a net-zero society by 2045,” he added.

“The ABS (area-based scheme) programme in Glasgow had made a huge impact in many households in Glasgow, lowering energy bills and reducing carbon emissions,” said councillor Kenny McLean, city convenor for housing, neighbourhoods and the public realm in Glasgow.

“The increase in funding will allow continued economic, environmental and social benefits to be delivered,” he added.

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