This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Central heating warms up for winter
10/10/2002
The Executive's free Central Heating Programme and Warm
Deal has cut fuel bills for thousands of elderly Scots and
those on low incomes by hundreds of pounds, Deputy Social
Justice Minister Hugh Henry said today.
The Minister was guest speaker at the launch of this
winter's programme and Warm Deal, combining central heating
with improved insulation, at a reception for MSPs in the
Dunard Library in the Hub, Edinburgh.
"The Executive's Central Heating Programme and the Warm
Deal are making a real difference to people's lives
throughout Scotland.
"The overall results of the Central Heating Programme
for 2001-02 are impressive with over 8,500 households
benefiting and the average annual fuel bill cut by
£330.
"Interest in the programme has been phenomenal and Eaga,
who administer the programme in the private sector, have
received over 16,000 applications.
"Eaga are on target to deliver their programme in
2002-03 when 10,500 more Scottish pensioners in the private
sector should reap the benefits of a warm, dry and
affordable to heat house through the Central Heating
Programme. Many more local authority and housing
association tenants will also benefit from the Executive's
investment in the social rented sector.
"Our Warm Deal has also been a great success and we have
already exceeded by 40,000 our target of insulating 100,000
homes over the lifetime of this Parliament. This has
resulted in average fuel bill savings of over £60.
"By 2006 no local authority or housing association
tenant or anyone aged 60 or over will have to live in a
home that does not have central heating or adequate
insulation.
"As well as the significant energy efficiency benefits
that these programmes are delivering, they are also helping
to tackle fuel poverty, reducing condensation dampness
leading to health improvements and reducing greenhouse gas
emissions to help tackle climate change."
The Executive's Central Heating Programme provides free
central heating, insulation, advice and other benefits.
70,000 households in the private and social rented sector
are due to benefit by March 2006.
The Executive invested £26 million in the programme in
2001-02 and is investing £30 million in 2002-03 and £40
million in 2003-04. Figures for future years will be
published in due course.
The Warm Deal is a £7.5 million scheme that provides
home insulation grants for low-income households and
pensioners. Households are eligible providing they are in
receipt of one of the specified State Benefits.
Households can have a combination of works from a
package of insulation measures worth up to a maximum of
£500. A smaller grant is available for pensioner households
not on benefit.
Reports detailing how the Central Heating Programme and
the Warm Deal have delivered benefits across Scotland in
2001/2002 will be published before the end of this
year.