Housing Minister Margaret Burgess paid a special visit to Linwood to discuss a new energy efficiency standard launched last Friday (March 28).

It was the first visit by the Minister, who met representatives from Linstone Housting Association and viewed properties which benefited from the scheme, expected to save residents an estimated £210 per year on their energy bills.

Speaking exclusively, the Scottish politician said: “The reason for the visit was to announce the new energy efficiency scheme for social housing in Scotland, to see it in action and to see the difference it can make.

“In addition to helping to reduce fuel poverty, the EESSH will also help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and contribute towards ambitious climate change targets.

“The aim of the scheme is to ensure that people pay less on their bills with energy efficiency standards.

“You can see in this area where there is external wall insulation, it’s also making a huge improvement to the area in terms of the new cladding.

“The partnership working here, between the local authority, the Scottish Government, the housing association and the energy company is a great example of what we’re trying to achieve.

“This is benefiting 80 per cent of the tenants who live here, we have 160 people on site and this is also creating jobs which is very important.” The scheme will also benefit elderly tenants, who may have suffered health issues because of a lack of heating in their homes.

It is also expected to reduce annual carbon emissions from housing by 760Kt CO2 in Linwood, which is more than the annual emissions from all the households in Aberdeen and Dundee combined.

Ms Burgess continued: “This is very much the start, although the standard is for social houses, we’re able to do it in a scheme like this we’re also doing private houses as well.

“Also the scale of it here shows me clearly, just how important that we get this done.

“I think it’s ticking a lot of boxes and the Scottish Government is helping fund it, which is important.

“This is going to look better with all the work being done.

“Anything about regeneration does help.

“I’ve been speaking to the housing association and the tenants and everyone has been delighted with it. There has been no complaints so far.” The EESSH will replace the minimum energy efficiency ratings included within the Scottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS) that social housing must meet by April 2015.