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Scottish government agrees extra £25m for energy efficiency projects as Budget passes

An extra £25m will be spent on local energy efficiency projects in Scotland, following a deal made between the Scottish National Party (SNP) and Scottish Greens to ensure the passage of the government’s Budget.

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Picture: Getty
Picture: Getty
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Scottish government agrees extra £25m for energy efficiency projects as part of deal made with Scottish Greens to ensures its Budget passes #ukhousing

“With over 600,000 people in fuel poverty and an urgent need to cut climate emissions in the next decade, this still falls well short of the £240m that we calculate is necessary to meet our climate and fuel poverty goals,” says @sfha_hq #ukhousing

The additional funding brings the total Budget for insulating homes and lifting people out of fuel poverty through programmes delivered by local authorities to just over £162m.

Elizabeth Leighton, director of the Existing Homes Alliance Scotland, which includes the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations, said the group “welcomes” the additional funding.

She added: “However, with over 600,000 people in fuel poverty and an urgent need to cut climate emissions in the next decade, this still falls well short of the £240m that we calculate is necessary to meet our climate and fuel poverty goals.

“We urge all parties to continue to build on the success of Scotland’s energy efficiency and fuel poverty budgets and look forward to the Capital Spending Review, where longer-term funding commitments must be made to secure warm, low carbon and affordable homes for all.”


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Earlier this month the Scottish government released its draft Budget, which included an additional £16m for its Affordable Homes Programme.

However, the SNP depends on making agreements with other parties to ensure that the Budget is passed through parliament due to having lost their majority in 2016.

Kate Forbes, cabinet secretary for finance in the Scottish government, said: “I am pleased to have reached an agreement to pass the Scottish Budget and deliver certainty for communities, businesses and our vital public services – especially in face of the uncertainty created by the UK government’s decision to delay its Budget.

“I want to thank all parties for the constructive way in which they have approached this year’s discussions. While it is not possible to meet every party’s demands in full, I believe in reaching formal agreement with the Green Party, I am also delivering on key asks from every party and I encourage all MSPs to consider giving their support to Scotland’s Budget.”

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