Chamber and committees

Questions and answers

Parliamentary questions can be asked by any MSP to the Scottish Government or the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. The questions provide a means for MSPs to get factual and statistical information.

Written questions must be answered within 10 working days (20 working days during recess)
Other questions such as Topical, Portfolio, General and First Minister's Question Times are taken in the Chamber

Urgent Questions aren't included in the Question and Answers search. There is a SPICe fact sheet listing Urgent and emergency questions.

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Question reference: S6W-25714

Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 23 February 2024
Current Status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 8 March 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it expects any new minimum standard for energy efficiency to be introduced through its Heat in Buildings Bill to be equivalent to the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) C standard.

A good level of energy efficiency is defined in the Heat in Buildings Strategy as equivalent to EPC C (based on current Energy Efficiency Rating on an EPC).However, the current Energy Efficiency Rating is not an appropriate basis on which to set an energy efficiency standard because it is based on the modelled cost to run a property, not energy efficiency.

In 2022, in response to feedback from the Climate Change Committee and other stakeholders, the Scottish Government commissioned the Building Research Establishment(BRE) to evaluate options for a new fabric energy efficiency metric to be used on EPCs in Scotland. As part of this work BRE analysed the energy efficiency of the Scottish housing stock’s building fabric. BRE’s report showed that the average house at the entry-point to EPC band C had a heating and cooling demand of approximately 120kWh/m2/year (not including energy needed to provide hot water).

The consultation on proposals for a Heat in Buildings Bill includes the option of meeting a Fabric Energy Efficiency standard based on this heating and cooling demand, as an alternative to the ‘List of Measures’ approach. Research carried out by the BRE shows that when installing the measures suggested in the list, a clear majority (around 66%) of Scottish homes could achieve this good level of energy efficiency.

Question reference: S6W-25710

Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 23 February 2024
Current Status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 8 March 2024

To ask the Scottish Government how many properties that are in the scope of its 2033 minimum energy efficiency standard, as proposed in its Delivering Net Zero for Scotland's Buildings consultation, are (a) already meeting and (b) require any level of work to meet the proposed standard.

The Scottish Government wants all homes in Scotland to reach a good level of energy efficiency where possible and is consulting on proposals to introduce a minimum energy efficiency standard that would apply to all privately owned housing by the end of 2033.

The proposed minimum energy efficiency standard is at a level that is broadly equivalent to EPC C. The Scottish House Condition Survey 2022 shows that 48% of the owner-occupied housing stock (around 788,000 dwellings) is already in EPC band C or better. It is likely that for many of these homes not yet meeting the new standard, the amount of work needed to be carried out is modest.

We are also seeking views in our consultation on whether to introduce flexibility to the standard for specific groups or based on personal circumstances. These mechanisms may reduce the number of homes which need to meet the standard. In addition, we are proposing that any owner-occupied homes which have already installed clean heating systems before 2033 won’t be required to meet the standard. All owner-occupied new homes built under a building warrant on or after 1 April 2024 will already meet the clean heat requirement and will therefore not be required to meet the minimum energy efficiency standard.

Question reference: S6W-25711

Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 23 February 2024
Current Status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 8 March 2024

To ask the Scottish Government how many properties it expects would be required to meet the minimum energy efficiency standards by 2028, as proposed in its Delivering Net Zero for Scotland's Buildings consultation.

The consultation on proposals for a Heat in Buildings Bill includes a proposal to introduce a minimum energy efficiency standard. Landlords of private rented housing would be required to meet this standard by the end of 2028.

The intention is to set a minimum energy efficiency standard at a level that is broadly equivalent to EPC C. The Scottish House Condition Survey 2022 estimates that around 50% of privately rented homes are already in EPC band C or better. It is likely that for many homes which do not yet meet the proposed standard, the amount of work needed to be carried out is modest.

We are also seeking views in our consultation on whether to introduce further flexibility to the standard for specific groups or personal circumstances. These mechanisms may reduce the number of homes which need to meet the standard.

Question reference: S6W-25719

Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Friday, 23 February 2024
Current Status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 8 March 2024

To ask the Scottish Government when it last met with Unison to discuss its Heat in Buildings proposals.

We have not been approached by Unison for discussions on our proposals for a Heat in Buildings Bill. However, we would be happy to have such a discussion at any time - building on the wide-ranging engagement with stakeholders across Scotland that we have undertaken since our consultation was published.

Our consultation is currently open until 8 March ( Proposals for a Heat in Buildings Bill: Consultation - Scottish Government consultations - Citizen Space ) and we encourage all organisations and households to respond.

Question reference: S6W-25718

Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 23 February 2024
Current Status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 8 March 2024

To ask the Scottish Government how many expressions of interest were received during 2023 for interest-free loans through Home Energy Scotland.

The Home Energy Scotland (HES) Grant and Loan Scheme does not collate expressions of interest from potential applicants.

Homeowners who wish to apply for HES Grant and Loan, or another of Scottish Government’s fuel poverty and energy efficiency schemes, contact HES Advice Service first to receive in-depth support on low and zero emissions heating technologies, other domestic renewables, and more complex energy efficiency improvements. This is an essential service to ensure that homeowners receive the best possible guidance in choosing the correct measures and a suitable installer. The service is bespoke and each homeowner’s case is assessed individually.

In 2023 7,512 applications for HES Grant and Loan Scheme were received.

Question reference: S6W-25717

Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 23 February 2024
Current Status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 8 March 2024

To ask the Scottish Government how many interest-free loans were granted through Home Energy Scotland in 2023.

The Home Energy Scotland (HES) Grant and Loan Scheme, launched in December 2022, offers homeowners and self-builders in Scotland a grant, interest free loan or a combination of both to support the installation of clean heating systems and energy efficiency measures.

In 2023, the Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan Scheme made 6,618 funding commitments to homeowners.

The figure provided represents all funding agreements, including both loan and grant offers.

Question reference: S6W-25474

Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 12 February 2024
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 7 March 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what the potential impact of the reduction to the Just Transition Fund contained in its draft Budget 2024-25 will be on job creation in Scotland.

Existing Just Transition Fund projects will continue to be funded in 2024-25, supporting projects and communities across the North East and Moray to create jobs, support innovation, and secure the highly skilled workforce of the future.

Scotland already outpaces the rest of the UK in creating green jobs, and our forthcoming Just Transition Plans will set out how the Scottish Government will continue to work with businesses and key partners across the economy to ensure we continue to build on this success, attracting investment into Scotland, and supporting our new and existing workforce to access the reskilling and upskilling they need to take on the green jobs of the future, while helping ensure employers and businesses are supported in attracting the talent and investment they need to continue driving green growth. Publishing a Green Industrial Strategy will also set out how we will help businesses and investors realise the opportunities of the global transition to net zero.

Question reference: S6O-03197

Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 06 March 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 13 March 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide further details of the progress that it is making towards fulfilling its 2017 commitment to increase the number of GPs by 800 within a decade.

Question reference: S6W-25686

Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 22 February 2024
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 4 March 2024

To ask the Scottish Government on what date it will publish its Green Industrial Strategy.

Question reference: S6W-25687

Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 22 February 2024
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 28 February 2024

To ask the Scottish Government on what date it will publish its Energy and Just Transition Strategy.