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 .

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.

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).

All the current means of heating homes and buildings require replacement and recycling of units and component parts, and this will continue to be the case.

There is no requirement for energy efficiency businesses to be registered. Businesses may become TrustMark registered and information on these businesses is available on the TrustMark website.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-22299 on 16 November 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 .

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.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-22299 on 16 November 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 .

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-22299 on 16 November 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 undertakes regular engagement and consultation with the teaching profession, Scotland’s national education bodies, professional associations and wider stakeholders.

The June 2021 report from the OECD, “Scotland’s Curriculum for Excellence: into the future”, set out a series of recommendations which have informed education reform focused on outcomes for learners, through improved learning and teaching. Similar conclusions were reached by Professor Ken Muir in his report "Putting Learners at the Centre: Towards a Future Vision for Scottish Education". Professor Muir concluded that, “An enhanced focus on ensuring high quality learning and teaching and increased collaboration among practitioners, based on the adoption of a continuous learning mindset” was essential for Scottish education to become successful in meeting the needs and ambitions of children, young people and adult learners.

In May 2023, the Scottish Government published "All Learners in Scotland Matter", the final report of Scotland’s National Discussion on education. The National Discussion undertook extensive engagement with over 38,000 people and heard that high teaching standards and the centrality of good pedagogy was the basis for effective learning. Participants also expressed an appetite to explore approaches to improve university-school partnerships to support the future generations of teachers.

In order that each child, young person and adult in Scotland has high-quality learning experiences, excellent learning and teaching must be the foundation of Scottish education. The consultation and engagement undertaken to date, including that which underpinned these independent reports, has informed a renewed focus on learning and teaching in Scotland and the creation of a Centre for Teaching Excellence.

The Centre will be co-designed with teachers and practitioners, professional associations, local government and Scotland’s national education bodies, to ensure it meets the needs of its users and stakeholders. The announcement of the Centre lays the foundation for that engagement.