Chamber and committees

The requirements of individual homes will likely depend on a number of factors such as overall power demand for the home, the size of the home and its general energy efficiency. We are currently conducting research with CXC, which includes looking at the impact of heat pump and electric vehicle uptake on the electricity network. We expect this report to be published shortly. Decisions regarding grid upgrades are currently reserved.

The New Build Heat Standard ( Building (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2023 ) prohibits the installation of direct emissions heating systems that produce more than a negligible amount of direct greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This is to ensure that new buildings no longer contribute emissions to climate change, and do not require future retrofit to support net zero.

Hydrocarbon gas produces more than a negligible amount of direct emissions, as demonstrated in research completed by ClimateXChange: Direct greenhouse gas emissions from low and zero carbon heating systems (climatexchange.org.uk) .

Any hydrogen-ready technology is likely to operate on hydrocarbon gas for the foreseeable future. This means that these systems would not be permitted under the Standard, as they continue to emit significant direct emissions.

Although most staff returned to Ferguson Marine by 30 June 2023, eight members of staff continue to be seconded to BAE Systems.

As regards the £25,000 working capital loan, the loan agreement is still extant. To date, the loan has not been repaid.

As set out in the Scottish Government’s Heat in Buildings Strategy, we are taking a ‘zero emissions first’ approach in our heat and energy efficiency delivery programmes, where it is technically feasible and will not increase fuel poverty. The main solutions for meeting our climate change targets in buildings are to install energy efficiency measures and zero direct emissions heating, such as heat pumps and low and zero emissions heat networks. Electricity networks must not become a barrier to achieving net zero, so it is essential they are ready to support our energy transition and heat ambitions.

As set out in the Ministerial Code, the Scottish Government publishes ministerial engagements, travel and gifts three months in arrears, and publishes the whole month at one time, taken from the end of the relevant month. The Scottish Government plans to publish the information relating to April's ministerial engagements, travel and gifts by the end of July 2023. No breach of the Scottish Ministerial Code has occurred.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-19389 on 4 July 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-answer.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-19389 on 4 July 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 responsibility for the balancing of grid costs lies with the National Grid ESO, not the Scottish Government. Information on their work on this can be found here: Balancing Services Use of System (BSUoS) charges | ESO (nationalgrideso.com) .

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-19389 on 4 July 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-answer.

The Building (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2023 , which will give effect to the New Build Heat Standard, if passed, were laid in parliament on 8 June 2023.

An accompanying policy note was published alongside these.

Commissioned research into ‘Zero Emissions Heating in New Buildings across Scottish Islands’ and a suite of impact assessments were published alongside the independent analysis of the New Build Heat Standard Consultation: Part II, also on 9 June 2023.

Work is now ongoing to update the building standards technical handbooks which will provide the relevant guidance for industry, and this is due to be published in Autumn 2023.