Press Release

Extra Central Heating Funding Could Feel a Draught

23rd November 2007

The National Insulation Association (NIA) has today written to Nicola Sturgeon MSP, the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing warning that some of the £7 million extra cash that she recently announced for the Scottish Government’s flagship central heating programme could be wasted.

John Mason, NIA Head of Policy and Communications said; “Our members in Scotland welcome the additional financial commitment to the programme, we are however concerned that the level of insulation works on the central heating programme is not compromised by the rush to meet the new targets.”

The scheme was set up in 2001 by the Scottish Executive and, in addition to providing full central heating to every homeowner and private renter aged 60 and over without central heating or with a central heating system that is broken beyond reasonable repair, the programme also provides cavity wall insulation, loft, tank and pipe insulation and draught proofing, to ensure that the householders participating in the programme get maximum benefit from their new system.

Ministers faced a backlash when it emerged last week that 10,850 people were on the waiting list without an installation date. When making Tuesday’s announcement Ms Sturgeon said: "It is important that we give extra priority to vulnerable pensioners who face this winter in homes without heating and hot water. We will focus this extra spending on increasing capacity in this year's programme to avoid making waiting lists longer. We also recognise that there are underlying issues with the design of the fuel poverty programmes and we are examining these."

The NIA is concerned that this could mean that the programme concentrates purely on installing heating systems at the expense of insulation and John Mason sees this as the continuation of a trend. “Our members have noticed that the level of insulation works carried out under the central heating programme has fallen from around the 90% averaged over a five year period to under 40% in just twelve months and there has been a reduction in the number of jobs undertaken under the Warm Deal programme.” he said.

“There is no point in installing a central heating system if the people can’t afford to run it because most of the heat is escaping through the walls, roof and windows.

This increases the costs to the householder in running such systems and increases carbon emissions”

In the letter sent today we have asked Ms Sturgeon for an assurance that the new funding will not be used purely to reduce waiting lists without completing all the works necessary in the home and has drawn her attention to the Government’s targets to eradicate fuel poverty and reduce carbon emissions through improved energy efficiency.

NIA members have to meet strict guidelines and have all signed the NIA’s Code of Professional Practice, ensuring that they provide the highest possible service.  More information on the benefits of insulation is available at:  www.nationalinsulationassociation.org.uk together with a search facility to find a local installer.