Central Heating
Scottish Parliament Written answers, 29 October 2009
Elaine Murray (Labour) | Question S3W-28053
To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it is taking to reduce the waiting period for central heating system installation for applicants who have qualified for Stage Four of the Energy Assistance Package.
Alex Neil (Scottish National Party)
The Energy Assistance Package (EAP) is a holistic approach to tackling fuel poverty that addresses both the home and householder and includes services to maximise income, reduce fuel bills and improve energy efficiency. Stage 4 of the package offers a menu of enhanced physical measures to groups most likely to be fuel poor including central heating.
In 2008-09 the managing agent reduced the average waiting time from application to installation on the central heating programme, from six months to five months, with particular priority given to those households who have waited longest. The Scottish Government continues to press the to do all it can to ensure waiting times are kept to a minimum on the EAP.