Work is underway on an external wall insulation project in Yoker, Glasgow, as part of the council's Affordable Warmth Programme.

Contractor Everwarm is completing the work with help from a few young apprentices, which will see external wall insulation delivered to over 70 Yoker homes.

The project is being delivered as an extension of the Scottish Government's Home Energy Efficiency Programmes for Scotland (HEEPS), an initiative to tackle fuel poverty and increase energy efficiency in homes.

Jointly funded by the Scottish Government, Energy Company Obligation funding and owner contributions, this HEEPS Area Based Scheme will also reduce carbon emissions, and enable householders to make fuel savings in their properties. Since its launch in 2013, the HEEPS programme has so far levered in over £95m in funding into Glasgow, which has benefitted over 10,000 of the city's residents.


Kevin Stewart, Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning visited Yoker, and met with the contractor and young apprentices.

He said: "It's great to see our investment, through Glasgow City Council, supporting apprenticeships - especially during the Year of Young People. I was really pleased to meet the young apprentices and congratulate one of them, Kyle, on his permanent employment with Everwarm.

"This year we are investing £4.6 million in the Glasgow City Council area through HEEPS: Area Based Schemes which will support energy efficiency installations to 610 private homes and lever in 470 homes from Registered Social Landlord properties. Since the Area Based Schemes started in 2013 the Scottish Government has provided £32 million in grant support for properties in the Glasgow area to be made more energy efficient."

Everwarm's Affordable Warmth Programme is to roll into a second phase to meet the demand from owners in Yoker.

(CM)