SNP cut home energy climate scheme

Scottish Liberal Democrat climate emergency spokesperson, Liam McArthur, has today criticised the SNP for restricting eligibility for the Home Energy Scotland scheme.

Applications to the Home Energy Scotland made after 6th June this year will no longer receive funding for solar panels and energy storage systems, including electric and heat batteries. The scheme will also no longer accept applications from people building their own homes, starting from August.

In a communication announcing the changes, the Energy Savings Trust, which administers the scheme, said that they were being made: “to ensure that the scheme stays within its budget”.

The changes to funding of solar panels and energy storage systems were not announced in advance of coming into effect last week.

Commenting on the move, Liam McArthur said:

“As ever with this SNP government, schemes are launched amid great fanfare then quietly scaled back or ditched altogether. Cutting the scheme without warning erodes public confidence and undermines the ability of businesses to plan and invest in skills and supply chains.

“The UK Climate Change Committee has already made clear that the Scottish government is off the pace needed on other measures delivered through Home Energy Scotland, such as domestic heat pumps.

“In the wake of scrapping the 2030 climate target, ministers promised to step up action. Cutting back the Home Energy Scotland scheme just weeks later hardly seems to match that commitment.”