An additional £400,000 has been pledged by the Scottish government to help people make sure they can pay their utilities bills this winter.

Interest-free loans are offered through the Universal Home Insulation Scheme (UHIS), which can be used to install energy efficiency measures such as new boilers and insulation.

The scheme has already proved a success, as it has helped 200,000 properties throughout the country combat fuel poverty as the winter approaches.

Speaking at the Energy Action Scotland Conference in Clydebank, Alex Neil, cabinet secretary for infrastructure and capital investment, said the investment allows the work of the UHIS to be continued.

"We continue to do everything we can with the powers available to us to invest in efficient schemes like UHIS and strive to end this blight," he added.

The Consumer Council for Water recently recommended that homeowners check their heating and water supplies are fully functioning before the winter sets in to avoid emergency call-outs.