The funding comes through the Energy Efficient Scotland: Area Based Scheme, and supports upgrades such as insulation, solar panels and modern heating systems for eligible private sector homes.

At a meeting of the Housing and Community Safety Committee, councillors were updated on the progress of the scheme in Moray so far.

Since it began in 2013, more than 1,800 homes in the area have received energy-saving improvements.

In addition, the council continues to promote the Energy Company Obligation 4 (ECO 4) scheme, run by Scarf through Home Energy Scotland.

This separate scheme also helps households in or at risk of fuel poverty access free energy-saving improvements, often with higher value upgrades at no cost to the council.

Since joining ECO4 in May, 83 households have received energy efficiency upgrades, seeing an estimated £145,000 in bill savings and 412 tonnes of CO2 avoided.

Cllr Amber Dunbar, Chair of the Housing and Community Safety Committee, said: “We’re committed to helping residents keep their homes warm, and I’m encouraged by the positive impact both schemes have had. We’ll continue to work hard to reach households most in need of support.”

More information on both schemes, including on eligibility and how to apply, is available here.