Heating systems record for Scottish elderly
A record number of free central heating systems have been installed in the homes of the elderly, the Scottish Government announced today.
The government's central heating programme was set up in 2001 to provide free systems for those aged over 60.
A total of 14,377 central heating systems were installed as part of the scheme in 2007-08.
Communities minister Stewart Maxwell said Scottish Gas had delivered 14,205 systems, while local authorities had delivered 172.
And he added that total was the highest number ever delivered to private homes by the programme.
The scheme had attracted criticism late last year, after the waiting list reached more than 10,000.
Following that ministers pledged £7 million to speed up the installation rate.
And today they said the waiting list had fallen from around 11,300 in November to 9,300 by the end of March.
Over the same period the number of elderly people waiting more than nine months for a system to be installed has dropped from more than 1,350 to 800.
Mr Maxwell added that the Warm Deal scheme had also meant insulation had been installed in 5,259 houses.
He said: "As these record figures for central heating installations illustrate, we've made the schemes inherited from the previous administration work as well as they can.
"This government invested additional resources in the central heating and Warm Deal programmes, and as a result we have delivered the highest recorded number of systems installed in private homes.
"Upwards of 2,000 more households have benefited from the extra investment and waiting times have been cut, particularly for those waiting longest."
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Posted by: puskas, East Kilbride on 2:35pm Mon 21 Apr 08
Ain't this Government doing exceptionally well.
Yep and more to come ..
Ain't this Government doing exceptionally well.
Yep and more to come ..
Posted by: jamie80, Scotland on 2:36pm Mon 21 Apr 08
I'm glad to see the SNP continue this Labour initiative, although there are quite legitimate fears about cuts. But the Nats sucking up to the energy companies doesn't bode well for the future if Scotland were to ever become independent.
I'm glad to see the SNP continue this Labour initiative, although there are quite legitimate fears about cuts. But the Nats sucking up to the energy companies doesn't bode well for the future if Scotland were to ever become independent.
Posted by: Disgusted Dorothy, Glasgow on 3:19pm Mon 21 Apr 08
So you can't just say ," Well done!" ?
So you can't just say ," Well done!" ?
Posted by: stonehaven on 3:51pm Mon 21 Apr 08
At last a government that cares about the people!
At last a government that cares about the people!
Posted by: Duns Scotus, The Borders on 3:53pm Mon 21 Apr 08
[bold]jamie80[/bold] - don't be blinded by partisanship. Study NuLabour's relationship with the nuclear industry for a start.
jamie80 - don't be blinded by partisanship. Study NuLabour's relationship with the nuclear industry for a start.
Posted by: Im no really here, but over there on 3:54pm Mon 21 Apr 08
And I bet they never had to ask permission from Westminster before they did it.
And I bet they never had to ask permission from Westminster before they did it.
Posted by: Wallace, Perth on 4:50pm Mon 21 Apr 08
Jamie80 is a glaring example of the brainwashed Labour supporter who would still find something negative to say about Alex Salmond and the SNP Government, even is they discovered a cure for cancer.
He and his fellow Labour trolls, and especially unionist hacks like Fraser and Young would probably report it as "SNP discovery threatens redundancies in the medical profession!"
Jamie80 is a glaring example of the brainwashed Labour supporter who would still find something negative to say about Alex Salmond and the SNP Government, even is they discovered a cure for cancer.
He and his fellow Labour trolls, and especially unionist hacks like Fraser and Young would probably report it as "SNP discovery threatens redundancies in the medical profession!"
Posted by: Wallace, Perth on 4:59pm Mon 21 Apr 08
Jamie80 - yes it was a Labour Scottish Government iniative, and as an SNP Government supporter I freely admit and applaud that. But I hope you will in turn acknowledge that the SNP Government has put in [bold]extra resources[/bold] to bring down the waiting list that had built up, which was mainly the fault of Scottish Gas failure to install the heating systems.
Stop being so negative and give credit where it's due. No doubt any feel-good factor produced by these extra funds allocated to reduce the waiting list for heating installations, will be denigrated by Baron Barlinnie Foulkes repeating his infamous quote, "But they're doing it deliberately!"
Jamie80 - yes it was a Labour Scottish Government iniative, and as an SNP Government supporter I freely admit and applaud that. But I hope you will in turn acknowledge that the SNP Government has put in
extra resources to bring down the waiting list that had built up, which was mainly the fault of Scottish Gas failure to install the heating systems.
Stop being so negative and give credit where it's due. No doubt any feel-good factor produced by these extra funds allocated to reduce the waiting list for heating installations, will be denigrated by Baron Barlinnie Foulkes repeating his infamous quote, "But they're doing it deliberately!"
Posted by: Scunnert, Travelling in Nihlon on 5:23pm Mon 21 Apr 08
So will Red Wendy apologize for this:
http://www.youtube.c
om/watch?v=bkqJAghJA
Go
and now congratulate the SNP for improving on this labour scheme?
If labour would just stop being a bunch ae weans and cooperate with, instead of sniping at, this government we could do so much more for the vulnerable.
So will Red Wendy apologize for this:
http://www.youtube.c
om/watch?v=bkqJAghJA
Go
and now congratulate the SNP for improving on this labour scheme?
If labour would just stop being a bunch ae weans and cooperate with, instead of sniping at, this government we could do so much more for the vulnerable.
Posted by: Mrs I P Knightly, Scotland on 7:01pm Mon 21 Apr 08
[quote][bold]Duns Scotus[/bold] wrote:
[bold]jamie80[/bold] - don't be blinded by partisanship. Study NuLabour's relationship with the nuclear industry for a start. [/quote] Brian Wilson for one.............
Duns Scotus wrote:
jamie80 - don't be blinded by partisanship. Study NuLabour's relationship with the nuclear industry for a start.
Brian Wilson for one.............
Posted by: craigy1314, south lanarkshire on 7:20pm Mon 21 Apr 08
wallace. perth
what evidence do you have that scottish gas were the main culprits for any delays?
wallace. perth
what evidence do you have that scottish gas were the main culprits for any delays?
Posted by: Jwil, Lanarkshire on 7:35pm Mon 21 Apr 08
To think that Wendy Alexander was rattling on about the lack of progress in FM questions just a month or two ago!
To think that Wendy Alexander was rattling on about the lack of progress in FM questions just a month or two ago!
Posted by: Carnwarth on 7:55pm Mon 21 Apr 08
This was alway a splendid programme and some credit is due to Labour for introducing it. But the scandal was that rather than throw all available money at this to reduce the number of fuel poor pensioners who die each year in Scotland due to poverty New Labour chose to stretch it out over a number of years (ensuring thst some people who could benefit woudl die of the cold while waiting) but went ahead with an open chequebook for the stupid LibDem policy "free care for the elderly". That policy did not result in a single person getting a better service - it only allowed better off pensioners to keep their assets warm so they could hnd them on to their middle-aged chidlren when they die. It was a policy which prioritised assets over lives.
This was alway a splendid programme and some credit is due to Labour for introducing it. But the scandal was that rather than throw all available money at this to reduce the number of fuel poor pensioners who die each year in Scotland due to poverty New Labour chose to stretch it out over a number of years (ensuring thst some people who could benefit woudl die of the cold while waiting) but went ahead with an open chequebook for the stupid LibDem policy "free care for the elderly". That policy did not result in a single person getting a better service - it only allowed better off pensioners to keep their assets warm so they could hnd them on to their middle-aged chidlren when they die. It was a policy which prioritised assets over lives.
Posted by: Exiled Aussie, Banff on 8:18pm Mon 21 Apr 08
Did I detect a teenty weeny 'thank you' to the previous adminstration for which the [bold]TARTAN TORIES[/bold] are now claiming credit ?
Did I detect a teenty weeny 'thank you' to the previous adminstration for which the
TARTAN TORIES are now claiming credit ?
Posted by: Observer, Glasgow on 8:37pm Mon 21 Apr 08
Exiled One the programme was stallling because the previous Executive awarded the contract to one contractor who didn't have the capacity. The SNP have sorted that out. I really think you should give credit where it is due.
Exiled One the programme was stallling because the previous Executive awarded the contract to one contractor who didn't have the capacity. The SNP have sorted that out. I really think you should give credit where it is due.
Posted by: Wardog, Buckie on 9:06pm Mon 21 Apr 08
[quote][bold]Exiled Aussie[/bold] wrote:
Did I detect a teenty weeny 'thank you' to the previous adminstration for which the [bold]TARTAN TORIES[/bold] are now claiming credit ?[/quote]
Yes, [italic]thank you[/italic] Labour for leaving 10,000 people on the waiting list, well done..... good to see the real Scottish Government doing a sterling job and getting on with these installations in RECORD time....
Exiled Aussie wrote:
Did I detect a teenty weeny 'thank you' to the previous adminstration for which the TARTAN TORIES are now claiming credit ?
Yes,
thank you Labour for leaving 10,000 people on the waiting list, well done..... good to see the real Scottish Government doing a sterling job and getting on with these installations in RECORD time....
Posted by: Wardog, Buckie on 9:06pm Mon 21 Apr 08
[quote][bold]jamie80[/bold] wrote:
I'm glad to see the SNP continue this Labour initiative, although there are quite legitimate fears about cuts. But the Nats sucking up to the energy companies doesn't bode well for the future if Scotland were to ever become independent. [/quote]
yawn.... bluster AND negativity..... well done!
jamie80 wrote:
I'm glad to see the SNP continue this Labour initiative, although there are quite legitimate fears about cuts. But the Nats sucking up to the energy companies doesn't bode well for the future if Scotland were to ever become independent.
yawn.... bluster AND negativity..... well done!
Posted by: Graham, Glasgow on 9:26pm Mon 21 Apr 08
It started in 2001 SNP Plonkers. Yawn![bold]bold[/bold]
It started in 2001 SNP Plonkers. Yawn!
Posted by: Dave, Away on 10:13pm Mon 21 Apr 08
[quote][bold]Graham[/bold] wrote:
It started in 2001 SNP Plonkers. Yawn![bold]bold[/bold] [/quote] Yes, but it didn't actually start getting properly implemented until after May, 2007......hmmmm.....
what can we learn from this boys and girls?......If one were to consider bwoken pwomises one might meditate on the failure of the previous administration to actualize those promises (whether deliberately or through incompetence) and the willingness of the present administration to carry on aggressively with a good idea no matter where it originated......
WENDY FOR QUEEN!!!
(Let's keep Alex as FM for a while though until all the furnaces are in....)
Graham wrote:
It started in 2001 SNP Plonkers. Yawn!
Yes, but it didn't actually start getting properly implemented until after May, 2007......hmmmm.....
what can we learn from this boys and girls?......If one were to consider bwoken pwomises one might meditate on the failure of the previous administration to actualize those promises (whether deliberately or through incompetence) and the willingness of the present administration to carry on aggressively with a good idea no matter where it originated......
WENDY FOR QUEEN!!!
(Let's keep Alex as FM for a while though until all the furnaces are in....)
Posted by: george alexander, north lanarkshire on 11:14pm Mon 21 Apr 08
[quote][bold]Exiled Aussie[/bold] wrote:
Did I detect a teenty weeny 'thank you' to the previous adminstration for which the [bold]TARTAN TORIES[/bold] are now claiming credit ?[/quote] No my friend, [bold]NEW LABOUR - NEW TORIES[/bold] certainly deserve [bold]some[/bold] credit but some must also go to the SNP for sorting out the waiting list mess.
Exiled Aussie wrote:
Did I detect a teenty weeny 'thank you' to the previous adminstration for which the TARTAN TORIES are now claiming credit ?
No my friend,
NEW LABOUR - NEW TORIES certainly deserve
some credit but some must also go to the SNP for sorting out the waiting list mess.
Posted by: subrosa on 3:01am Tue 22 Apr 08
[italic]Posted by: Wallace, Perth on 4:59pm Mon 21 Apr 08[/italic
Labour brought in this policy knowing full well that they couldn't afford it. Now the SNP are bringing it to fruition they're gob smacked.
It was an attempt at vote winning and it's backfired on them. Everyone can see now that the finances weren't there in the first place.
Posted by: Wallace, Perth on 4:59pm Mon 21 Apr 08[/italic
Labour brought in this policy knowing full well that they couldn't afford it. Now the SNP are bringing it to fruition they're gob smacked.
It was an attempt at vote winning and it's backfired on them. Everyone can see now that the finances weren't there in the first place.
Posted by: Macuistean, Isle of Tiree on 5:40am Tue 22 Apr 08
Unfortunately Nu Labour has removed the means of paying for the fuel to allow the systems to work.
Unfortunately Nu Labour has removed the means of paying for the fuel to allow the systems to work.
Posted by: Colin McGuire, Glasgow on 2:00pm Tue 22 Apr 08
Yes, it was a Nulabour's initiative, since 2001. What stopped them from impementing it since 2001 to 2007? Isn't it the fact that the permission they were waiting for from Westminster was not given?
Yes, it was a Nulabour's initiative, since 2001. What stopped them from impementing it since 2001 to 2007? Isn't it the fact that the permission they were waiting for from Westminster was not given?
Posted by: Colin McGuire, Glasgow on 2:11pm Tue 22 Apr 08
Nulabour were never going to implement that initiative incase it upsets English elderly. I didn't vote SNP but I regret for not doing so. You've done in one year what Nulabour couldn't in 8 years.
I travel a lot across Europe and Britain was the only country in Western Europe were Students had to pay tuition fees. I didn't believe on the SNP menifesto that they would abolish tuition fees, now I've realised that the man I used to call "arrogant Alex Salmond" is the man to rescue Scotland.
Nulabour were never going to implement that initiative incase it upsets English elderly. I didn't vote SNP but I regret for not doing so. You've done in one year what Nulabour couldn't in 8 years.
I travel a lot across Europe and Britain was the only country in Western Europe were Students had to pay tuition fees. I didn't believe on the SNP menifesto that they would abolish tuition fees, now I've realised that the man I used to call "arrogant Alex Salmond" is the man to rescue Scotland.
Posted by: Grassy Knollington on 2:46pm Tue 22 Apr 08
surprised the headline wasn't
Salmond stands accused of delivering "warm deal scheme"
surprised the headline wasn't
Salmond stands accused of delivering "warm deal scheme"
Posted by: Luigi, Aberdeen on 5:17pm Tue 22 Apr 08
Colin,
[quote]I didn't vote SNP but I regret for not doing so[/quote]
There are many, many people like you who are going to give Labour an absolute hammering at the next election.
Every bit of good news for Salmond is another nail in Labour's coffin.
Colin,
I didn't vote SNP but I regret for not doing so
There are many, many people like you who are going to give Labour an absolute hammering at the next election.
Every bit of good news for Salmond is another nail in Labour's coffin.
Posted by: oranmor, drymen on 6:32pm Tue 22 Apr 08
Aw luvly...ma wee tootsies are roasty toasty....MON THE SALMONDISTAS !!
Aw luvly...ma wee tootsies are roasty toasty....MON THE SALMONDISTAS !!
Posted by: nostress, grangemouth on 8:23pm Tue 22 Apr 08
Exile...but of course we say thanks...that's the difference you see between the grown-up Scottish Government and the wee weans of the opposition. The SNP are happy to examine an idea even if it's from the previous Labour/ Lib Dem administration and if it's good they implement it. Job done! Fair takes your breath away don't it! A Scottish Government doing the right thing without getting it cleared from London first!
Exile...but of course we say thanks...that's the difference you see between the grown-up Scottish Government and the wee weans of the opposition. The SNP are happy to examine an idea even if it's from the previous Labour/ Lib Dem administration and if it's good they implement it. Job done! Fair takes your breath away don't it! A Scottish Government doing the right thing without getting it cleared from London first!
Posted by: craigy1314, south lanarkshire on 11:20pm Tue 22 Apr 08
Observer and others.
The program did not stall because the Lab/Lib Exec awarded the contract to one contracter(by that I assume you mean Scottish Gas) SG were awarded the contract in Oct/Nov 2006, the previous contracter EAGA administered it previous to that. They had used various independent installation companies to do the work. Very few older people were aware of their entitlement to assistance and that it was not means tested. By Nov 2006 before SG had taken over the contract the programme had ran out of money, so there was a backlog building up till April 2007.
Scottish Gas are in fact a victim of their own success in informing potential beneficiaries of their possible eligibility for assistance eg, through their home services engineers on service visits to customers homes. Yes they have to use contract labour, which organisation could fit over 14500 C H systems in one year as well as look after their other customers without using outside labour? As for the backlog being pinned back since councils took on some of the work..I hardly think 100 odd installations by councils is much of a dent in the overall figure, do you?
By the way not all pensioners are entitled, you need to be over 80 years of age to qualify on grounds of age, efficiency or partial operation of the system. If your 60 to 79 then unless you are on pension credits then the C H system must be broken down beyond repair.
Observer and others.
The program did not stall because the Lab/Lib Exec awarded the contract to one contracter(by that I assume you mean Scottish Gas) SG were awarded the contract in Oct/Nov 2006, the previous contracter EAGA administered it previous to that. They had used various independent installation companies to do the work. Very few older people were aware of their entitlement to assistance and that it was not means tested. By Nov 2006 before SG had taken over the contract the programme had ran out of money, so there was a backlog building up till April 2007.
Scottish Gas are in fact a victim of their own success in informing potential beneficiaries of their possible eligibility for assistance eg, through their home services engineers on service visits to customers homes. Yes they have to use contract labour, which organisation could fit over 14500 C H systems in one year as well as look after their other customers without using outside labour? As for the backlog being pinned back since councils took on some of the work..I hardly think 100 odd installations by councils is much of a dent in the overall figure, do you?
By the way not all pensioners are entitled, you need to be over 80 years of age to qualify on grounds of age, efficiency or partial operation of the system. If your 60 to 79 then unless you are on pension credits then the C H system must be broken down beyond repair.
Posted by: Jack, Glasgow on 7:54am Wed 23 Apr 08
Free heating-system? Not if you are a tenant of a Housing Association. My rent has gone up by £14 a month to pay not for this system but for the one they will be replacing it with in 15 years time. Perhaps someone in government could explain how this helps raise me out of the fuel poverty trap?
Free heating-system? Not if you are a tenant of a Housing Association. My rent has gone up by £14 a month to pay not for this system but for the one they will be replacing it with in 15 years time. Perhaps someone in government could explain how this helps raise me out of the fuel poverty trap?
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