Western Isles MSP questions housing minister

“Energy Assistance”

Western Isles SNP MSP, Alasdair Allan, today questioned Minister for Housing and Communities, Alex Neil, over improvements to the Energy Assistance Package, which delivers central heating and insulation to many people in the Western Isles.

Dr Allan, who is Vice-convener of the Parliament’s Local Government and Communities Committee, raised the issue when Mr Neil was giving evidence to the Committee today.

Alasdair Allan commented:

“One of the single biggest subjects which constituents contact me about is the difficulty which many islanders continue to have in heating their homes.

“Western Isles”

“The Scottish Government’s Energy Assistance Package has been highly successful in making many homes in the islands warmer and more fuel efficient.

“However, I took the chance today to question Mr Neil about how the Government would help people living in so-called ’hard to treat’ homes. That means houses without cavity walls which are off the gas grid, and that of course describes many houses in the Western Isles.

“Mr Neil confirmed that the Scottish Government had lifted the funding cap from £5,500 to £6,500 per home, which goes some way at least towards meeting the higher costs associated with oil heating installations. He also confirmed that the Home Insulation Scheme was now making major progress in contacting and providing assistance to households in which the scheme is being piloted. This now includes the whole of the Western Isles.”

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