Reporting on fuel poverty 6 Preparation of periodic reports (1) The Scottish Ministers must, for each reporting period, prepare a report setting out— 10 (a) the steps that have been taken during the reporting period for the purpose of meeting the 2040 target, (b) the progress made in the reporting period towards meeting the 2040 target, and (c) the steps that the Scottish Ministers propose to take in the next reporting period in order to meet the 2040 target. 15 (2) A report under subsection (1) may include such other information as the Scottish Ministers consider appropriate. (3) Subsection (1) does not apply to a reporting period that ends on or after 31 December 2040. (4) The reporting periods are— 20 (a) the period of 5 years beginning with the day on which the fuel poverty strategy is published under section 5, (b) each subsequent period of 5 years. (5) For the purpose of paragraph (c) of subsection (1), where the next reporting period would include any period after 31 December 2040— 25 (a) that paragraph is to be read as a requirement to set out the steps that the Scottish Ministers propose to take in the next reporting period in relation to fuel poverty, and (b) it is immaterial for the purposes of calculating the next reporting period that a report will not require to be prepared at the end of that reporting period by virtue 30 of subsection (3). 7 Consultation on periodic reports (1) In preparing a report under section 6, the Scottish Ministers must consult such persons as they consider appropriate. (2) The persons consulted under subsection (1) must include individuals who are living, or 35 have lived, in fuel poverty. 8 Publication and laying of periodic reports The Scottish Ministers must— (a) publish each report prepared under section 6, and Fuel Poverty (Target, Definition and Strategy) (Scotland) Bill 5 (b) lay a copy of it before the Scottish Parliament, before the end of the financial year in which the reporting period ends. 9 Report on the 2040 target (1) The Scottish Ministers must, no later than 31 March...