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 fuel poverty targets (including the costs of those steps) (including what steps have been taken for the purpose of meeting the 2040 target in each local authority area), (b) the progress made in the reporting period towards meeting the fuel poverty targets 15 (including what progress has been made toward meeting the 2040 target in each local authority area), and (c) the steps that the Scottish Ministers propose to take in the next reporting period in order to meet the fuel poverty targets (including any additional funding required to take those steps) (including what steps the Scottish Ministers propose to take in 20 the next reporting period in order to meet the 2040 target in each local authority area). (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 25 2040. (4) The reporting periods are— (a) the period of 3 years beginning with the day on which the fuel poverty strategy or any revised strategy is published under section 5, (b) each subsequent period of 3 years. 30 (5) For the purpose of paragraph (c) of subsection (1), where the next reporting period would include any period after 31 December 2040— (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 35 (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 of subsection (3). 7 Consultation on periodic reports (1) In preparing a report under section 6, the Scottish Ministers must consult such persons 40 as they consider appropriate. 8 Fuel Poverty (Target, Definition and Strategy) (Scotland) Bill (2) The persons consulted under subsection (1) must include— (a) individuals who are living, or have lived, in fuel poverty, (b) local authorities, (c) disabled people, 5 (d) people with long-term illness, (e) older people, and (f) individuals living in rural areas. 8 Publication and laying of periodic reports The Scottish Ministers must— 10 (a) publish each report prepared under section 6, and (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...