Almost 1,700 council and housing association homes will benefit from improved energy efficiency as part of a £4.5 million initiative, housing minister Margaret Burgess has announced.

A total of 24 local authorities and social landlords are to be given grants to install measures that will make their properties both warmer and cheaper to heat.

Work is to be carried out on 1,677 homes, thanks to the Scottish Government's £4.5 million Green Homes Cashback Scheme.

Mrs Burgess said the cash would "not only improve the quality of social rented properties up and down the country but it will make a real difference to families who are struggling to make ends meet".

She added: "It is scandalous that fuel poverty exists in an energy-rich country like Scotland, that's why this Government has spent almost a quarter of a billion pounds over a three-year period on energy efficiency measures. Through the Green Homes Cashback Scheme we are helping social landlords and councils upgrade their properties with energy efficiency measures, which will in turn save residents' money on fuel bills and cut emissions."

Mrs Burgess announced how the funding was being distributed ahead of a Holyrood debate on affordable housing.

She said: "Making sure everyone in Scotland has access to good-quality housing is a vital part of the Scottish Government's drive to secure economic growth, promote social justice, strengthen ­communities and tackle inequality."