Scottish Home Energy Loans Do Not Impress

The latest £2m pilot scheme introduced by the Scottish government has not gone far enough, according to some critics.

The scheme aims to give interest-free loans to homeowners as a way of encouraging them to make their properties more energy efficient.

Loans would range in size, from £500 to £10,000 to help install measures such as double glazing, solar panels, and loft insulation. All of these will help to reduce energy bills as well as each household’s carbon footprint.

When the scheme was announced, it was claimed that 2020 climate targets could cost each household an average of £7,000. However, environmental groups have claimed that the cost will, in fact, be much higher.

Charles Booth, from the Association of the Conservation of Energy, said that the money was overdue. However, he claimed it should be £70million rather than 2million, and criticised plans as ‘too little too late’.

Chief executive of Friends of the Earth Scotland stated that £100million a year would be needed for these energy saving jobs at such a scale, and Scottish Greens MSP Patrick Harvie described the plans as ‘unsatisfactory’.

Labour MSP Andy Kerr stated that the previous government provided new central heating systems in 100,000 homes, where as the SNP Energy Assistance Package has only installed 173 central heating units since April.