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House conditions
27/11/2008
Communities and Sport Minister, Stewart Maxwell, responded to official figures released today which show that half of all Scotland's homes are now rated as "good" in terms of energy efficiency.
The Scottish House Condition Survey Annual Report 2007 also reveals that 569,000 households in Scotland are estimated to be living in fuel poverty with 163,000 of these households estimated to be extremely fuel poor.
Meanwhile the report also reveals that 79 per cent of Scotland's homes suffer from some form of disrepair, with 49 per cent of faults requiring urgent attention.
Responding to the publication of the Scottish House Condition Survey statistics, Mr Maxwell said:
"While these figures show that we are making progress in energy efficiency the numbers of households living in fuel poverty continue to make for sober reading.
"Our Scottish Economic Recovery Plan includes helping households experiencing difficulties in the current economic climate. We are determined to improve energy efficiency, tackle fuel poverty and offer better financial advice to vulnerable households.
"Just this month the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing, Nicola Sturgeon, announced the introduction of the Energy Assistance Package.
"Beginning next April, this will improve on the existing fuel poverty programmes by reaching more people, including for the first time, low income families with a child under five or a disabled child under 16, providing a wider range of support in one integrated package, and beginning to tackle rural fuel poverty more effectively.
"We have also invested an additional £10 million for the central heating programme which will help thousands of pensioners this winter.
"In addition, we must take action on the high levels of disrepair in Scotland's housing stock. That is why next year we are introducing wider, more flexible powers for local authorities to assist owners who need to carry out their repair responsibilities.
"This news also comes just days before the Home Report is set to be introduced. For the first time house buyers and sellers will be provided with comprehensive information on the condition, energy efficiency and value of a home before offers are submitted.
"This will help to make sure that any home buyer is aware not only of the energy efficiency of a potential home but any hidden costs they may incur due to disrepair."