Greens push insulation deal in budget

Published on Wednesday 14 January 2009 21:58

THE Greens last night appeared to be on the verge of landing a historic agreement that will ensure the current Scottish budget is passed.

John Swinney, the finance secretary, appeared to concede ground to Holyrood's two Green MSPs in their demands for 1 billion of free insulation for all houses over ten years.

In his opening speech on the issue yesterday, Mr Swinney seemed to suggest he would offer them pilot schemes before a nationwide roll-out.

"It would be available to all homes in the areas chosen and we would, following evaluation, identify the best way to deliver such schemes over an ambitious timescale," he said.

A Green spokesman said: "This seems very positive – we now have two weeks to thrash out the details."

The comments came in the first-stage vote on the budget, that was passed with only the Lib Dems voting against.