Infrastructure and Capital Investment Secretary Alex Neil told MSPs the Energy Assistance Package (EAP) will be extended to up to 7,000 people on carers allowance.

The scheme will help people to install new boilers, heaters or have their home insulation improved at no cost to themselves, which should see their heating costs fall.

Mr Neil made the announcement during a ministerial statement on fuel duty on 5 October 2011.

The infrastructure and capital investment secretary said “Fuel poverty is a problem that currently affects one in three of Scottish households.”

“I am sure that all in this Chamber are concerned at the latest round of price increases by the ‘big 6’ energy suppliers. ”

He went on to say the first minister had called upon the energy suppliers to meet with the government and consumer groups at a summit.

Mr Neil also announced an additional £5 million for insulation and heating systems for the vulnerable and fuel-poor this year.

Scottish Labour’s Infrastructure and Capital Investment spokesman Lewis Macdonald told the chamber that the government was merely restoring fuel poverty funding lost in previous cuts and that funding levels were still lower than in 2010/11.

the First Minister has called upon the energy suppliers to meet with us and stakeholder groups such as Consumer Focus Scotland at a summit.

Consumer Focus Scotland have highlighted that “The companies have a major role to play, alongside all of us, in helping to make Scotland’s housing as energy efficient as possible.” And went on to describe the initiative as having the potential to lead to an “innovative response”.

35% increase on 48m in 11/12 importance givign to households affected by fuel poverty,

Spending review additional 50m parly warm homes fund, focus on potential of renewable energy.

Additona 5m to 53m pounds, extra for insulation and heating systems at the most poor and vulnerable

Everying in our power reduce and eventually eliminate fuel poverty in Scotland.

The Scottish government aims to eradicate fuel poverty by 2016.

A household is considered to be in fuel poverty if it would be required to spend more than 10% of its income to adequately heat its home, and in extreme fuel poverty if it would have to spend more than 20%.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/democracylive/hi/scotland/newsid_9606000/9606166.stm