More than 5,000 households have saved an average of more than £400 on their energy bills in the last year thanks to the Warmer Homes Scotland scheme.

On a visit to scheme recipient Maryhill resident Cora McCulloch, Convener of the Scottish Parliament’s local government and communities committee, Bob Doris MSP, heard that the external wall insulation she received via the Scottish Government’s national fuel poverty scheme has made “huge” changes to her life, easing worries she had about how to affordably heat her home.

The visit came as Warmworks Scotland launched its annual report, which revealed that 5,334 households received help between 1 April 2016 and 31 March 2017. On average, households saved £401 per year on their energy bills, a combined saving of £2.14m per year.

Cora said: “Warmer Homes Scotland has been a lifeline for me – it’s made a massive difference to both my financial and physical comfort. The help I have received means that I now enjoy a warm home and greater peace of mind each time a bill comes through the door.”

The £224 million Warmer Homes Scotland scheme provides a step-by-step service to help make homes warmer and more comfortable. Assistance can include upgrading windows or fitting new radiators to fitting new boilers or even working with partners to install gas mains to make heating homes in hard to reach areas more affordable.

SNP MSP for Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn, Bob Doris, said: “I was delighted to meet Cora and her young son George to find out more about the help offered through Warmer Homes Scotland. Living in fuel poverty remains a harsh reality for many in Scotland and it is vital to ensure help reaches those who need it the most.

“The figures released show Warmworks is delivering successfully on its aims – I look forward to seeing it build on those successes in the years to come.”

Fuel poverty has remained in the spotlight over the last 12 months, with two separate Scottish Government-commissioned working groups, the Fuel Poverty Strategic Working Group and the Rural Fuel Poverty Task Force, making detailed recommendations on how the Government should address the issue moving forward. The Warmer Homes Scotland scheme is an integral part of the wider solution.

Ross Armstrong, Warmworks Scotland contract director, said: “We’re really proud to reflect on our achievements in delivering Warmer Homes Scotland and tackling fuel poverty across the country over the last year.

“We know that the hard work doesn’t end here though – our job is to build on the successes we’ve seen so far and get better as we change the lives of even more customers. Our long-term goal will always be to leave a strong and lasting legacy in local communities across the country.”