Lofty issue

Published on Thursday 1 October 2009 22:18

A FREE insulation scheme for all could be one of the surprise features of next year's budget after the Scottish Government agreed to an all party meeting on the issue.

The proposal by the Greens, originally costed at 1 billion over ten years, brought down last year's budget and was eventually replaced by a means tested 15 million scheme which has failed to insulate any homes so far.

But with concerns over the effectiveness of the scheme and mounting pressure to find one that would work, Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon yesterday agreed to a cross party meeting.

During FMQs, where she was standing in for Alex Salmond, she said that housing minister Alex Neil would convene with Green MSP Patrick Harvie and representatives of other parties.

Her concession followed a debate on energy efficiency on Wednesday where members of the economy, energy and tourism committee appeared to back the Greens scheme.

Former Labour leader Wendy Alexander led the way stating ministers need to "go back to the scheme originally promoted by the Greens".

There was a hint that the Tories may follow their colleagues in Wales in supporting a similar scheme, while two senior Liberal Democrats, Iain Smith the committee convener and Liam McArthur, gave strong hint they backed it.

Mr Harvie said he was "delighted with the progress made".