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-12575

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 29 November 2022
Current Status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 14 December 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to expand the size and scale of interest free loans and grants programmes for heat pumps in order to meet its target of 50,000 non-domestic properties with zero emissions heating systems by 2030.

The Scottish Government currently provides significant support through Business Energy Scotland (BES) and the SME Loan and Cashback Scheme to help SMEs implement renewable heating technologies such as air source heat pumps. We have also recently enhanced support for Scottish organisations to decarbonise through expanding the capacity of the Business Energy Scotland advice service.

In the Bute House agreement the Scottish Government committed to transition the cashback element of the BES SME loan schemes to standalone grants. Officials are working closely with delivery partners to develop this improved scheme for SMEs in Scotland to access both loan and grant support for the installation of renewable heating technologies.

Question reference: S6W-12579

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 30 November 2022
Current Status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 14 December 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what actions (a) have been taken and (b) are planned to ensure that all relevant stakeholders have been consulted in the development of the Heat in Buildings Supply Chains Delivery Plan.

The Heat in Buildings Supply Chains Delivery Plan was developed through close engagement with our delivery partners highlighted in Chapter Two.

To inform our understanding of the sector and support the development of the plan, we utilised feedback gained though published reports from expert groups including our Heat Pump Sector Deal Expert Advisory Group and the Zero Emissions Social Housing Taskforce.

We have also utilised extensive feedback on supply chain issues received through a number of wide ranging public consultations in relation to our heat in buildings programme, namely, our consultation on the Draft Heat in Buildings Strategy, and our scoping consultation on the New Build Heat Standard.

We continue to engage with the sector on a routine and informal basis alongside our delivery partners and, as outlined within the Plan, we have committed to carrying out a formal public consultation to seek views on our proposal to develop a new supplier led funding scheme for green heat works.

Question reference: S6W-12573

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 28 November 2022
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 13 December 2022

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-12087 by Jenny Gilruth on 22 November 2022, whether it will provide the information requested regarding what outcomes or responses from its consultation would lead it to withdrawing its commitment to fully dual the A96.

Question reference: S6W-12577

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 29 November 2022
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 13 December 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to introducing a renewable energy SME loan scheme, which has been identified by Scottish Renewables as crucial for developing the supply chain and meeting the needs of domestic and international energy projects.

Developing a strong supply chain for renewables is crucial to deliver on Scotland’s net zero ambitions, and to ensure Scotland’s economy and communities see the benefits of this transition.

The Scottish Government recognises the important role of SMEs in Scotland’s energy transition, and has a number of initiatives underway to support the supply chain including the Heat in Buildings Supply Chain Delivery Plan, published on 11 November. This sets out practical steps that will be taken to support the growth of the green heat sector – including supporting green jobs, leveraging private investment and helping businesses seize the economic opportunities offered by the transition to net zero.

An export plan which supports international ambitions of the Scottish supply chain is also being developed and will be published soon.

ScotWind promises to be transformational in delivering wider economic supply chain benefits, and developers have committed to invest an average projection of £1.4bn in Scotland per project. Onshore, the Scottish Government has awarded £9.8 million to the Energy Transition Zone, to stimulate investment from indigenous energy supply chain companies looking to deliver green energy projects, and to strengthen their capacity to take advantage of UK and international opportunities.

Our Business Energy Scotland SME Loan and Cashback scheme provides interest free loans from £1,000 up to £100,00 to Scotland based SMEs for the installation of energy efficiency measures and renewable energy technologies.

Question reference: S6W-12578

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 29 November 2022
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 12 December 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to introducing a low-carbon planning fund, which has been identified by Scottish Renewables as important for supporting local authority planning departments that are reportedly experiencing a significant impact on their resources due to the demands of renewable energy projects.

We are liaising with stakeholders and Network Operators to explore ways to accelerate the determination of applications.

National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) will set a more consistent framework for development across Scotland, once approved by Parliament and adopted by Ministers. It will provide a more enabling approach to renewable energy developments, as part of the statutory development plan.

We have no current plans to introduce a specific planning fund related to renewable energy developments. However, we recognise the importance of delivering on this vision and the resourcing and skills challenges for planning authorities, which we are taking steps to address.

In April Planning Fees were increased by between 25% and 50% for most types of planning application. Fees for applications made under the Electricity Act will also be increased, due to come into effect on 13 December, maintaining the voluntary contribution of 50% of the fee being passed to planning authorities. This will provide much needed additional resource for planning services across Scotland, helping authorities to retain and recruit staff.

The Scottish Government is also working with the profession to improve the pipeline of talented and skilled planners. This includes work with the High Level Group on Planning Performance to enhance resources and skills within planning, including:

the Future Planners project, looking at proposals to help increase the numbers of people entering the planning profession;
exploring how planning fees can better reflect the costs involved in determining applications;
the introduction of mandatory training for elected members in the planning system; and
the appointment of a planning improvement coordinator for Scotland.

Question reference: S6W-13040

Current Status: Withdrawn

Question reference: S6W-12522

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 24 November 2022
Current Status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 9 December 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide (a) an updated estimated cost to decarbonise homes and workplaces and (b) the methodology behind that estimate, which it calculated to be "in the region of £33 billion" in its Heat in Buildings Strategy, published in October 2021, in light of increased levels of inflation and other increased costs since publication.

Information setting out the requested methodology is in the public domain: Heat in building strategy modelling: EIR release - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) .

We are committed to delivering a just and fair transition to net zero, where the distribution of costs and impacts protects those in the most vulnerable circumstances while also optimising benefits for everyone. This means continuing to take account of changes in the external environment so that our modelling of funding and support remains appropriate. We are currently reviewing our cost estimates to deliver the heat transition on this basis, and will provide a further update in due course.

Question reference: S6W-12354

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 25 November 2022
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 8 December 2022

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6T-00960 by Lorna Slater on 15 November 2022, and the Minister’s comment that the figure relating to Scotland having 25% of Europe’s offshore wind potential was "outdated", what it has done to (a) review previous data and announcements regarding net zero policies to validate and ensure their accuracy and (b) assess and make any changes to its processes to ensure that such claims are based on evidenced data in the future.

Question reference: S6W-12356

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 25 November 2022
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 8 December 2022

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6T-00960 by Lorna Slater on 15 November 2022, and the Minister’s statement that the figure relating to Scotland having 25% of Europe’s offshore wind potential "was first set out in a 2010 publication, and it is now outdated", what its response is to the suggestion that the 25% figure was also inaccurate in 2010.

Question reference: S6W-12576

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 29 November 2022
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 8 December 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to introducing a Net-Zero Ports and Infrastructure Programme fund, which has been identified by Scottish Renewables as key for supporting strategic port infrastructure and developing offshore renewable projects.

We recognise the importance of strong port infrastructure to support our offshore renewable ambitions. One of the primary recommendations of the Scottish Offshore Wind Energy Council’s (SOWEC) Strategic Infrastructure Assessment (SIA) for Offshore Wind was the creation of a Scottish Floating Offshore Wind Port Cluster. The SIA made clear that the sector must work collaboratively to help focus activity and investment in Scottish ports.

New ScotWind leaseholders have joined existing Scottish offshore wind developers in signing up to a Collaborative Framework Charter, agreeing to work jointly together to build a pipeline of supply chain work. 24 developers have agreed to work together in the development and delivery of this Collaborative Framework. Through this grouping, i ndustry, enterprise agencies, and Scottish Government are working together to develop a Strategic Investment Model (SIM) which will support the recommendations of the SIA.