The City of Edinburgh Council is to spend at least £3.3 million to make private homes across the capital warmer, more environmentally friendly and cheaper to heat.

In a programme run in partnership with Home Energy Scotland, residents of Dumbiedykes, Moredun, West Mains, South Queensferry and Niddrie Mill will benefit from investment in cavity wall and loft insulation to improve their homes, reduce carbon emissions and lower their energy bills.

The investment is being delivered through Home Energy Efficiency Programmes for Scotland: Area Based Schemes (HEEPS: ABS), which is part of the Scottish Government’s programme to increase energy efficiency and tackle fuel poverty – two key elements of Edinburgh’s City Housing Strategy.

A person is defined as living in fuel poverty if they need to spend more than 10 per cent of their household income on heating. In Edinburgh, it is believed that around 26 per cent of households are fuel poor, with pensioners often being most at risk.

Housing leader, councillor Cammy Day, said: “It’s a key Capital Coalition commitment to make sure people are well-housed and this initiative will make a major contribution to that by improving energy efficiency and making homes cheaper to heat.

“We know that the cost of heating is hitting poorer households hard and it’s great that we are able to target this investment to help those in the city who are struggling the most.”