Scottish Government announces Route Map and funding for fuel poverty and energy efficiency

The National Insulation Association (NIA) has welcomed today’s announcement from Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon of funding of £54.5 million, to help tackle fuel poverty and reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the Route Map to an Energy Efficient Scotland which outlines action to ensure that by 2040, all homes are improved so they achieve an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of at least Band C.

The First Minister said*: “The Scottish Government’s energy efficiency programme will help ensure all our buildings are warmer, greener and more energy efficient.

“The major investment in this programme highlights our clear commitment to ensuring that we tackle fuel poverty and reduce greenhouse gas emissions – helping those on low incomes as well as protecting our environment.”

George Donaldson, Chair of NIA Scotland which represents the insulation industry in Scotland, commented; "The NIA Scotland and our members welcome this announcement and the ambitious plan set out by the First Minister and stand ready to support the delivery of the programme.”

Insulation not only tackles fuel poverty and climate change but delivers long-term, sustainable savings on energy bills, create jobs, reduces NHS costs and helps regenerate communities.

ENDS.

*As quoted on www.gov.scot

NIA and NLA partnership to help landlords meet new regulations

The National InsulationAssociation (NIA) and National Landlords Association (NLA) have come together to provide landlords with an easy to use online facility to find local insulation installers to help meet energy efficiency standards.

Both organisations are advising landlords that they should be taking action soon in order to upgrade their properties by 1^st April 2018. This is when the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEES) will come into force and require rented properties to have an EPC rating of E or above before they can be legally let.

Neil Marshall, Chief Executive of the NIA commented: “Our partnership with the NLA will provide a timely service to help Private Landlords to meet the new energy efficiency standards.   Landlords can contact local NIA Installer members via the NLA or NIA websites to arrange a survey and quotation. They can be safe in the knowledge that NIA installers will have met stringent criteria and sign up to the NIA’s Code of Professional Practice providing added assurance and recourse.”

Richard Lambert, Chief Executive Officer of the National Landlords Association (NLA), said:

"It's important that landlords have access to the most trusted and reliable of local specialists, particularly when it comes to insulation, and we hope that this online service will enable landlords to meet their obligations by making their properties more energy efficient."    

Minister for Energy and Industry, Jesse Norman said:  "This is a welcome initiative from the NIA and the National Landlords Association, which should help people improve the energy efficiency of their homes and save money on their heating bills."

Landlords should be thinking about what they need to do to meet MEES and how they can provide warmer homes for their tenants.  The minimum E rating may be raised in the future and so landlords with buildings rated F or G may decide that they wish to spend more than the minimum in order to bring those buildings to D or above.

For more information about how landlords can find an NIA member visit www.nia-uk.org  or call 08451 636363 

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