Chamber and committees

I will bring in Ruth Whatling on that point.

There are a number of points to make. Before I became a minister, I remember meeting Solar Energy Scotland and speaking in a debate about the work that it was doing. There have been changes in technology in relation to payback times, for example—I think that there was a members’ business debate on that.

Solar thermal heating will be an important part of the energy strategy that the Government will produce. It will be a useful addition for some home owners, but it will depend on their location and their needs. Heat pump systems generally make a better solution across Scotland, and there will be investment in that way. There might be opportunities for householders to look at solar thermal heating, and Home Energy Scotland interest-free loans can help home owners at that point. Constituents in my area have taken that approach over a number of months and years. Dunbar is meant to be the sunniest place in Scotland, so we often push and promote that. We have all seen the increase in the use of solar panels and solar heating, and Home Energy Scotland interest-free loans provide opportunities to develop that.

A key point relates to the information that is available to householders and home owners. That is really important as we go forward with the LHEES. It comes back to the point that I made about Wester Hailes—it is important that the consultation and discussions with home owners result in the best approach for them. Solar will certainly have a part to play as we go forward.

Yes, I can. I will bring in Stephen Garvin in a second to talk about this in a bit more detail, but I have already mentioned that the Institution of Structural Engineers—that is its long name—is looking at developing additional guidance specific to the issue of RAAC in housing. Moreover, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors is preparing a consumer guide that will provide advice to landlords, tenants and home owners, and that guide is expected shortly. The Institution of Structural Engineers is also preparing guidance to support landlords, tenants and home owners in making informed decisions on how they manage RAAC in residential properties, and that work is due to be completed later in the year.

We are engaging and liaising with RICS and IStructE in supporting those initiatives, and we are having on-going engagement with affected landlords through the Scottish Government-led RAAC in housing sub-group, which Stephen Garvin has touched on. I will bring in Stephen, as he is involved much more than I am in those discussions.

I will bring in Alan Johnston to respond to that question, but I have a response to it, too.

The Grenfell response has come out, but there is work beyond that. I am happy to keep the committee up to date, if members think that that would be relevant.

I will bring in Stephen Garvin on the other point, which is the most important to come out of the Grenfell inquiry.

Before Alan comes in, it is important to note the broader concept of fire engineers’ work in relation to Grenfell.

I ask Alan to cover the specific work that we are engaging on, because SBAs are about more than just fire engineering.

The Government is committed to implementing Awaab’s law for private tenants as well. There are existing powers, which we must ensure are used to the maximum extent. It is part of the engagement with the private rented sector. I have raised the issue with the Scottish Association of Landlords on a number of occasions, so it is aware of our commitment in that regard, and we will engage with the organisation.

I am happy to come back on the two points relating to social housing and to the private rented sector, but we are committed to having Awaab’s law for the private rented sector as well.

There are powers in the existing legislation, but they are not always used. One of the key things is to ensure that we use existing powers. If we bring in Awaab’s law—as I said, we are committed to introducing Awaab’s law for private tenants as well—we must do so in consultation. For individual landlords, there will be a slightly different approach to how we do that. We are discussing that with the Scottish Association of Landlords, including what its role is and how we ensure that individual landlords are aware of the requirements.

I will speak to the more general point and then come on to the specifics. The Government recognises the challenges that tenants are facing. I will bring Stephen Garvin in in a second. Our broader approach to RAAC includes housing, but it is about the wider issue across Scotland—there have been a couple of issues with it in my local authority, including Preston Lodge high school and the Brunton theatre in Musselburgh. We have taken a much broader approach than the UK Government and we have looked at the NHS, schools and right across the sector; I will bring Stephen Garvin in on that point. That faced the challenges, and we worked very closely with the regulator on that point, and I was on a building safety group that was chaired by the cabinet secretary.

Obviously, we expect all social landlords to ensure that their tenants are accommodated safely. There are a number of issues. I have engaged with Aberdeen City Council, for example, and West Lothian Council, over their approach to RAAC. In Aberdeen, obviously, it was slightly different. RAAC can impact on properties in different ways. In Aberdeen, the properties will have to be demolished. There is a mix of private and social tenure. We have had numerous meetings. I am heading up to Aberdeen at the beginning of May to meet tenants and residents to discuss that point. We worked very closely with the people at Aberdeen City Council. Because they had to decant very quickly, we have had to engage with them very quickly, to make sure that there are properties for people to move into. That approach is slightly different from the approaches of West Lothian, Dundee and other areas. We have engaged with all that. The officials will engage with all RSLs and local authorities on that as we go ahead.

If there are any specific examples about furniture, I will be happy to pick up that point. I had not heard of that particular case but, if there are examples, I can pick those up and come back to you.

I will bring in Stephen Garvin, then I want to add a few things on our general approach to RAAC, not just when it comes to housing but more broadly.