Almost 2,000 of Scotland’s poorest households will benefit from a £5 million fund to make their homes cheaper to keep warm, housing minister Margaret Burgess has revealed.

The HEEPS: Cashback Scheme, for social housing providers, offers funding to housing associations and local authority landlords towards energy efficiency measures.

Under the scheme, 28 housing associations and councils across Scotland will receive funding to improve almost 2,000 homes.

The cash will help meet the cost of installing measures, such as solid wall insulation or hard-to-treat cavity wall insulation, in their housing stock.

Social landlords can apply for up to £250,000 to help drive down the cost of tenants’ fuel bills.

During a visit to the new Glenlochy distillery housing development in Fort William, Mrs Burgess said: “These energy efficiency measures will help families who are struggling to make ends meet by saving money on their heating bills.

“The Scottish Government wants to create a fairer, equal and more prosperous country. A supply of high quality housing stock underpins that ambition.

“Introducing energy efficiency measures stimulates economic growth, provides jobs and strengthens communities and tackles inequality.”