The Consumer Futures Unit want incentives for those who take part in a new initiative

Scots who make their homes more energy-efficient should get a council tax rebate, a charity has claimed.

The Consumer Futures Unit of Citizens Advice Scotland has published a new report which aims to ensure that people play their part in the new Scottish Energy Efficiency Programme (SEEP).

The report points out that the success of SEEP – being developed by the Scottish Government – will depend on people taking steps to improve the energy efficiency of their homes, and that they should be given meaningful incentives to do so.

Research by the charity has suggested that a prompt £500 council tax rebate the year after upgrading their properties, would be seen as an ideal incentive.

Kate Morrison, energy manager of the Consumer Futures Unit, said: “We support SEEP and are keen to make sure that it helps people across Scotland to take action to make their homes more energy efficient. That’s why we have undertaken new consumer research to ensure SEEP is designed around the way people will interact with it.

“If the ultimate objective of SEEP is to upgrade all homes to a band C energy rating, around one million owner-occupiers in Scotland will need to upgrade their homes. The Scottish Government therefore needs to persuade people of the benefits of installing energy efficiency measures, and design a scheme that makes it easy for them to take action, and incentivises them to do so.”