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-22644

Asked by: Brian Whittle, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 02 November 2023
Current Status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 16 November 2023

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-21208 by Patrick Harvie on 26 September 2023, what the (a) smallest, (b) median and (c) largest (i) grant and (ii) loan issued under the Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan scheme was in the period from September 2022 to date, broken down by (A) local authority area, (B) household income and (C) council tax band.

The Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan scheme is available to all domestic owner occupied households in Scotland, therefore data on household income and council tax band are not collected during the application process. In the following table, the data requested has therefore been supplied for local authority area only.

Funding issued through the scheme often comprises a combination of loan and grant funding.

	Grants Issued (£)			Loans Issued (£)
Local Authority Area	Smallest	Median	Largest	Smallest	Median	Largest
Aberdeen City	400	4,200	12,525	600	6,118	17,754
Aberdeenshire	100	6,688	13,889	70	9,257	18,000
Angus	400	7,500	19,000	499	7,759	18,541
Argyll and Bute	40	4,697	12,000	90	2,500	19,080
City of Edinburgh	234	4,000	11,500	319	8,000	23,861
Clackmannanshire	307	4,200	10,000	375	9,250	16,000
Dumfries and Galloway	300	7,500	23,000	440	6,204	20,537
Dundee City	400	6,000	10,000	520	7,682	16,300
East Ayrshire	400	4,600	11,500	500	8,845	14,780
East Dunbartonshire	269	3,000	11,362	180	5,820	17,000
East Lothian	400	5,276	17,500	500	9,075	18,696
East Renfrewshire	270	4,200	14,748	505	6,338	18,693
Falkirk	378	4,200	9,000	390	10,000	15,293
Fife	173	4,200	11,500	248	9,590	21,186
Glasgow City	136	1,477	16,500	360	4,005	20,181
Highland	300	7,500	17,832	367	5,796	26,358
Inverclyde	400	3,900	7,701	375	6,490	12,150
Midlothian	400	5,500	10,847	281	10,000	17,000
Moray	400	7,500	20,600	1,250	7,499	22,000
Na h-Eileanan Siar	345	7,500	9,000	895	2,500	13,798
North Ayrshire	750	4,200	11,500	1,406	6,000	15,847
North Lanarkshire	190	4,200	14,025	500	9,800	17,000
Orkney Islands	400	7,500	11,097	1,250	2,560	12,000
Perth and Kinross	91	6,524	11,958	547	8,500	20,100
Renfrewshire	257	3,977	13,000	308	7,050	17,000
Scottish Borders	370	7,500	12,080	644	7,350	24,870
Shetland Islands	2,233	6,788	16,500	1,250	2,500	13,206
South Ayrshire	400	7,100	10,388	361	7,012	17,000
South Lanarkshire	269	4,200	11,790	308	7,500	17,345
Stirling	400	6,600	20,000	254	7,500	17,000
West Dunbartonshire	400	4,000	8,280	500	7,500	14,099
West Lothian	139	6,900	17,500	103	9,973	19,500

Question reference: S6W-22550

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 02 November 2023
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 16 November 2023

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-21959 by Jenny Gilruth on 27 October 2023, for what reason the answer did not address the explicit point in both the original question and the follow-up question regarding what consequences there are for local authorities that do not meet its commitment to provide every school pupil with their own laptop or other digital device; what its position is on whether not addressing this point in both the previous answers meets the commitment set out in paragraph 1.3 (d) of the Scottish Ministerial Code, which states that "Ministers should be as open as possible with the Parliament and the public, reflecting the aspirations set out in the Report of the Consultative Steering Group on the Scottish Parliament [...and] should refuse to provide information only in accordance with the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 and other relevant statutes"; whether it will confirm whether (a) there are, or will be, any consequences for local authorities that do not meet its commitment to provide every school pupil with their own laptop or other digital device and (b) any consequences will be retrospectively imposed; for what reason it is still in the process of developing delivery plans for this scheme, in light of it committing to it nearly three years ago, and by what date any such delivery plans will be finalised and published.

As stated in the original answer, we continue to work to develop plans on the provision of digital devices, which includes ensuring appropriate consideration of funding, monitoring and reporting. Given the extremely challenging financial climate, it is important that this is fully considered to ensure best value.

As set out in the Programme for Government, we will publish a digital strategy to support the broader aims of the education system and further details on this strategy will be provided in due course.

Question reference: S6W-22661

Asked by: Brian Whittle, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 02 November 2023
Current Status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 16 November 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the suitability of (a) whole-house renewable heating systems and (b) other renewable solutions for retrofitting on existing housing stock, and how many existing homes it estimates there currently are that are not suitable for retrofitting these systems.

On behalf of the Scottish Government, Element Energy conducted analysis of the technical suitability of low-carbon heating technologies in Scottish domestic buildings. A copy of this report is available here: Scottish Government (2020). Technical Feasibility of Low Carbon Heating in Domestic Buildings, www.gov.scot/publications/technical-feasibility-low-carbon-heating-domestic-buildings-report-scottish-governments-directorate-energy-climate-change/ .

We have recently published research by ClimateXchange that considers options for a methodology to assess the suitability of whole-building heating systems and we are currently undertaking work to develop options for such a methodology for further consideration.

We will consult during 2023 on proposals for a Heat in Buildings Bill to phase out polluting heating systems in Scotland’s homes and buildings and move to clean heating systems. Any regulations introduced will be technology-neutral since different homes and buildings will require different clean heat solutions (including heat pumps, heat networks and direct electric heating systems).

Question reference: S6W-22630

Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 02 November 2023
Current Status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 16 November 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reported problems with affordability and low awareness of home energy upgrades and retrofit schemes.

We provide a range of funding schemes to provide advice and financial support to help households install energy efficiency upgrades and clean heating. This includes our Warmer Homes Scotland scheme which provides a fully funded, full installation service to those who are least able to afford to take action themselves. We also offer our Home Energy Scotland grant and loan scheme under which households can access up to £15,000 in grants and interest free loans to install clean heating systems and energy efficiency measures. Up to £18,000 is available for those households living in rural areas.

We are promote our schemes our schemes and offer of support in range of different ways. I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-22629 on 16 November 2023 for information on the ongoing actions we are taking to do this. 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 .

Question reference: S6W-22668

Asked by: Brian Whittle, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 02 November 2023
Current Status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 16 November 2023

To ask the Scottish Government how many applications in total for loans or grants for energy efficiency measures or clean heating systems were approved in the 2022-23 financial year.

The following table sets out the number of applications approved for energy efficiency measures and clean heating systems for the financial year 2022-23. The figures include data from the Home Energy Scotland Loan and Cashback Scheme, which operated until December 2022, and the Grant and Loan scheme which began in December 2022.

A ‘clean heating system’ refers to a ‘zero direct emissions heating system’.

Hybrid heat pumps and hybrid heat pump systems are not included in the number of clean heating systems, as these usually include a heating source which directly produces carbon emissions, although the Scottish Government only provides funding for the zero emissions element.

Element	Grant	Loan	Total
Energy Efficiency	862	859	1,031
Clean Heating Systems (ZDEH)	1,798	1,717	1,813

Question reference: S6W-22645

Asked by: Brian Whittle, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 02 November 2023
Current Status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 16 November 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what key performance indicators it uses to measure the success of the Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan scheme, in terms of the improvements to energy efficiency delivered by funded works.

The Home Energy Scotland (HES) Grant and Loan Scheme offers homeowners in Scotland a grant, interest free loan or a combination of both to support the installation of energy efficiency measures and zero direct emission heating.

Energy efficiency measures funded through the scheme must be recommended on the property’s EPC, ensuring that funding is being utilised for measures which are suitable for a property and will result in a reduction in carbon emissions.

Question reference: S6W-22665

Asked by: Brian Whittle, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 02 November 2023
Current Status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 16 November 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the importance of ensuring that homes are insulated to standard prior to completing any installation of renewable heating systems.

Question reference: S6W-22570

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 31 October 2023
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 16 November 2023

To ask the Scottish Government, in relation to the projected figures for (a) Additional Inpatient and Day case Activity, (b) Outpatient activity, and (c) Additional Diagnostic Procedures, as outlined in the NHS Recovery Plan, and in light of the commitments included in its Programme for Government 2023-24, (i) what modelling was used in preparing the data, (ii) whether the projected estimates for the financial year 2022-23 were delivered and (iii) whether revised projected figures will be published.

The 2023 annual NHS Recovery Plan progress update is being finalised and will be issued in the coming weeks.

The Plan sets out commitments to implement improvements and new models of care by increasing NHS capacity as soon as possible. Inpatient and Day case activity increased by 39% from 2020-2021 to 2021-2022 and a further 16% increase to 2022-2023. New Outpatient activity increased by 44% from 2020-2021 to 2021-2022 and a further 4% increase to 2022-2023 demonstrating our continued recovery from the pandemic.

Question reference: S6W-22030

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 19 October 2023
Current Status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 16 November 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will carry out a risk assessment of any investment from China in Scottish universities, to determine what the impact on (a) universities and (b) university cities would be in the event that any such investment stopped.

Our universities are autonomous and responsible for ensuring their alliances and partnerships are safe and appropriate. The alliances that our further and higher education institutions forge across global academic networks are a matter for them and their governing bodies.

We expect all universities to understand and manage the reputational, ethical and security risks associated with international partnerships.

This includes conducting due diligence, complying with relevant legal requirements already in place and carefully considering guidance published by Universities UK to support them in managing risks of international partnerships.

Question reference: S6W-22300

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 19 October 2023
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 16 November 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what it anticipates the cost will be of (a) consulting on, (b) establishing, (c) launching and (d) the ongoing running of the Centre of Teaching Excellence.