To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-18203 by Stewart Maxwell on 3 December 2008, whether a decision has been made on including the issue of top-up funding, low interest loans or equity release schemes, as a way to augment the Energy Assistance Package in the Scottish Government’s forthcoming consultation of issues related to the energy efficiency of housing and when it expects to launch the consultation.

The issue of loans or equity release schemes goes wider than the Energy Assistance Package and involves a number of issues requiring detailed consideration. Thought is being given to how best to proceed in time for the forthcoming consultation. The consultation paper will be published later in the year.