Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government committed in this year’s Programme for Government to consult in the coming year on our proposals for the Heat in Buildings Bill. This consultation will include details on how we plan to phase in a minimum energy efficiency standard across Scotland housing stock, including details on trigger points such as point of sale.

The Scottish Government is committed to decarbonising Scotland’s historic buildings, while recognising the special characteristics of our buildings and places. As set out in our Heat in Buildings Strategy, the Scottish Government is working with Historic Environment Scotland to consider what specific support may be needed to decarbonise the heat supply of buildings designated as listed, or in conservation areas.

We offer a broad range of advice and support for householders and buildings to make their buildings more energy efficient, which includes those in conservation areas. This package of support will evolve over the course of the decade to meet the scale of change required and align with any regulations we introduce.

We would advise any household with questions about energy efficiency to contact Home Energy Scotland (HES) in the first instance. HES can be contacted on 0808 808 2282 or via their online portal: https://www.homeenergyscotland.org/

Historic Environment Scotland also provides information about adapting and repairing traditional buildings to reduce emissions and improve their energy efficiency.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-14431 on 9 February 2023. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers

The Scottish Government does not hold this information. While the Scottish Government does collect statistics on homelessness, these do not include specific information relating to student homelessness.

A full review of the homelessness data collections aimed at bringing these up to date, improve consistency and better meet user needs is ongoing. As part of this, the appropriateness and feasibility of gathering information on student status will be fully and carefully considered.

While the powers to take meaningful action sit with the UK Government, the Scottish Government is doing all it can to support non-domestic energy consumers with high energy bills.

Our Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES) has added a Community Buildings Fund which supports communities and other eligible organisations to improve the heating systems in their buildings and reduce energy bills. This includes funding up to a maximum of £80,000 and includes energy efficiency measures, zero emissions heat and also small-scale generation where there is a clear benefit to the community organisation.

Additionally, the First Minister chaired two energy summits last year attended by energy suppliers, advice agencies and third sector representatives, and which discussed collaborative actions to support non-domestic consumers with energy costs.

We will continue to work with partners to identify what more we can do within the powers available to us to mitigate the impact of high energy costs upon non-domestic consumers including community organisations.

Since the Bute House Agreement was signed in August 2021, the Scottish Government has been developing a range of proposals to introduce a minimum energy efficiency standard equivalent to EPC C. This standard will be introduced in 2025 subject to Parliament passing the Heat in Buildings Bill, and will take effect on a phased basis over the following years. The Scottish Government plans to consult on these proposals in the coming months, including on approaches to phase in these requirements across the Scottish housing stock.

There are no plans to extend the contract of MS Ambition beyond 31 March 2023.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-14517 on 7 February 2023. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers

The Scottish Government remains committed to the removal of fees associated with instrumental music tuition so income is not a barrier to children and young people taking up an instrument. Access to instrumental music tuition is for local authorities to determine depending on local circumstances and priorities.

Councils are autonomous and it is their responsibility to agree their annual budgets taking into account their statutory duties and national and local priorities.

The significant cut by the UK Government in support for businesses with their energy costs beyond March is very concerning, particularly for the more vulnerable sectors.

Scottish ministers wrote to the UK Government at the end of last year to express our disappointment at the lack of opportunity we were given to engage in the review of the Energy Bills Relief Scheme, and to stress that any continued support should be aimed at those businesses and sectors who need it the most.

We will continue to work with stakeholders to analyse the impact of this reduced level in support upon businesses and to raise our concerns with the UK Government at every opportunity.