Amendment 72 would require provision for the removal of low levels of energy efficiency—a driver of fuel poverty—in relation to housing in multiple occupation to be considered by ministers in preparation of the fuel poverty strategy. That would also aid in reduction of carbon emissions.
Amendment 72 has been framed in the most straightforward way possible, although it relates to a complex issue. There are many buildings in Scotland that fall into the category of housing in multiple occupation, and it can be very challenging to deal with low levels of energy efficiency in those circumstances. That is due, in part, to the difficulties that are experienced in relation to areas of common responsibility, such as stairwells and roofing.
The complexity of proceeding with energy efficiency actions can be due to several reasons, including failure to identify ownership of one of the homes, an occupant’s lack of interest or people’s refusal to get involved. Such challenges should not be allowed to become insurmountable for such a serious issue. As I am sure the committee will recognise, the issue can be particularly difficult for several categories of home dweller, including tenants living in the broad category of private rented accommodation and students living in rented accommodation. I am clear that landlords have a responsibility to ensure that the accommodation that they let reaches a liveable standard in relation to energy efficiency. Housing is a right under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and, in Scotland, that surely means a right to a warm home.
I lodged amendments to address the issue at stage 2 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2014—excuse me for stuttering, but 2014 seems a long time ago. At that time, I tried to create a duty to meet energy efficiency standards through the repairing standard in section 22 of the act. That was a much more detailed approach.
In 2014, the minister argued that the Scottish Government had put together a ministerial working group to look at energy efficiency standards in the whole of the private sector and said that the group was likely to report back on that work in the autumn of 2014. I was encouraged not to move my amendment at that time, given that the issue was to be explored by the ministerial working group. It is disappointing that, five years on, the issue has not been tackled—we now have an opportunity to do that.
Amendment 72 is a probing amendment at this stage. In view of the challenges that are faced by many people living in multiple occupancy buildings, I hope that the minister will consider having discussions with me and others who are interested in tackling such a serious fuel poverty issue.
Amendment 73 would ensure that, in preparing the fuel poverty strategy, ministers would have to consider how rural co-operatives and community bodies can be supported to identify sustainable energy solutions. Rural fuel poverty can present a very serious challenge to comfortable living. I am sure that the committee is aware that the 2017 statistics for the Scottish house condition survey show urban fuel poverty at 21 per cent and rural fuel poverty at a staggering 43 per cent. Sadly, I doubt that the next set of figures will have altered significantly.
Particular challenges are faced by owners and tenants who are living off-grid. People also face challenges that are created by their distance from the advice that would be available if they were not so remote. The identification of available skilled companies in remote areas can also create difficulties in gaining valuable advice.
In essence, amendment 73 would bring targeted support for collective action to tackle the challenges. Solutions might include a group of houses and nearby workshops tackling energy efficiency issues, such as insulation, at the same time. That could bring down costs. In a village, town or city, there are often opportunities for area-based action. However, in rural areas that is often not possible for the reasons that I have just mentioned and because of issues of scale.
Several estates in my region of South Scotland have successfully introduced sustainable energy solutions, such as the biomass boilers in Douglas village, installed by Douglas & Angus Estates, and Dumfries house. However, they have the financial capacity to deal with the challenges in a way that is often not possible for community groups or those who might form a co-operative for action in a small hamlet or remote area. As I have said, the challenges are manifold and could be compounded by the cost issues, so support in that regard should also be considered.
My amendment 73 is a probing amendment to provoke further discussion on the challenges for remote rural fuel poverty and on possible actions to support change as part of the strategy. I hope that it will be possible to discuss those issues further with the minister and others who are interested in advance of stage 3.
Amendment 98, which is consequential on amendment 73, requires the Scottish ministers to define “rural areas”, “rural co-operatives” and “sustainable energy solutions” by negative procedure.