An extra £10 million is set to be invested in the Central Heating Programme this year.

The money, announced on Saturady by the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing Nicola Sturgeon, will allow the programme to help even more of Scotland's fuel poor.

She also revealed that from April 2009 it is intended that the government's fuel poverty programmes are extended to include families on income support with children under five or with disabled children under 16.

If introduced, these changes will represent the first time help with tackling fuel poverty, beyond basic insulation measures, will be offered to families as well as pensioners.


Further details on the changes to fuel poverty programmes will be given in the Cabinet Secretary's full response to the recommendations from the Fuel Poverty Forum.

Ms Sturgeon said: "At a time when Scottish households face rocketing fuel bills this Government is committed to doing all that it can, within the powers that are available, to tackle fuel poverty.

"That is why, alongside boosting development in Scotland, helping households in these difficult economic times is a key theme of our six point programme announced this week.

"Increased energy efficiency, financial advice to vulnerable people and boosting programmes to combat fuel poverty will all form part of the six point programme which is aimed at reducing the impact of the global financial crisis on the real economy."

Around £46m per annum is allocated for fuel poverty programmes over 2008-2011.

(GK/JM)