Questions and answers

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 ��˿�� 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-25720

Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 23 February 2024
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 8 March 2024

To ask the Scottish Government when it last met with Community Trade Union to discuss its Heat in Buildings proposals.

We have not been approached by the Community Trade Union for discussions on our proposals for a Heat in Buildings Bill. However, we would be happy to have such a discussion at any time - building on the wide-ranging engagement with stakeholders across Scotland that we have undertaken since our consultation was published.

Our consultation is currently open until 8 March ( ) and we encourage all organisations and households to respond.

Question reference: S6W-25712

Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 23 February 2024
Current Status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 8 March 2024

To ask the Scottish Government how many properties it expects would be required to meet the minimum energy efficiency standards by 2033, as proposed in its Delivering Net Zero for Scotland's Buildings consultation.

The consultation on proposals for a Heat in Buildings Bill includes a proposal to introduce a minimum energy efficiency standard. Privately owned housing would be required to meet this standard by the end of 2033.

A significant proportion of the housing stock will already meet the standard ahead of this date, with new homes built between now and 2033 already meeting or exceeding the standard and private rented homes being required to meet the standard by the end of 2028. In addition, we are proposing that owner occupied homes which have installed clean heating systems before 2033 won’t be required to meet the standard.

It is the intention to set a minimum energy efficiency standard at a level that is broadly equivalent to EPC C. The Scottish House Condition Survey 2022 shows that 48% of owner-occupied dwellings (around 788,000 dwellings) are already in EPC band C or better. It is likely that for many homes which do not yet meet the proposed standard, the amount of work needed to be carried out is modest.

We are also seeking views in our consultation on whether to introduce flexibility to the standard for specific groups or personal circumstances. These mechanisms may reduce the number of homes which need to meet the standard.

Question reference: S6W-25718

Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 23 February 2024
Current Status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 8 March 2024

To ask the Scottish Government how many expressions of interest were received during 2023 for interest-free loans through Home Energy Scotland.

The Home Energy Scotland (HES) Grant and Loan Scheme does not collate expressions of interest from potential applicants.

Homeowners who wish to apply for HES Grant and Loan, or another of Scottish Government’s fuel poverty and energy efficiency schemes, contact HES Advice Service first to receive in-depth support on low and zero emissions heating technologies, other domestic renewables, and more complex energy efficiency improvements. This is an essential service to ensure that homeowners receive the best possible guidance in choosing the correct measures and a suitable installer. The service is bespoke and each homeowner’s case is assessed individually.

In 2023 7,512 applications for HES Grant and Loan Scheme were received.

Question reference: S6W-25719

Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 23 February 2024
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 8 March 2024

To ask the Scottish Government when it last met with Unison to discuss its Heat in Buildings proposals.

We have not been approached by Unison for discussions on our proposals for a Heat in Buildings Bill. However, we would be happy to have such a discussion at any time - building on the wide-ranging engagement with stakeholders across Scotland that we have undertaken since our consultation was published.

Our consultation is currently open until 8 March ( ) and we encourage all organisations and households to respond.

Question reference: S6W-25717

Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 23 February 2024
Current Status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 8 March 2024

To ask the Scottish Government how many interest-free loans were granted through Home Energy Scotland in 2023.

The Home Energy Scotland (HES) Grant and Loan Scheme, launched in December 2022, offers homeowners and self-builders in Scotland a grant, interest free loan or a combination of both to support the installation of clean heating systems and energy efficiency measures.

In 2023, the Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan Scheme made 6,618 funding commitments to homeowners.

The figure provided represents all funding agreements, including both loan and grant offers.

Question reference: S6W-25474

Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 12 February 2024
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 7 March 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what the potential impact of the reduction to the Just Transition Fund contained in its draft Budget 2024-25 will be on job creation in Scotland.

Existing Just Transition Fund projects will continue to be funded in 2024-25, supporting projects and communities across the North East and Moray to create jobs, support innovation, and secure the highly skilled workforce of the future.

Scotland already outpaces the rest of the UK in creating green jobs, and our forthcoming Just Transition Plans will set out how the Scottish Government will continue to work with businesses and key partners across the economy to ensure we continue to build on this success, attracting investment into Scotland, and supporting our new and existing workforce to access the reskilling and upskilling they need to take on the green jobs of the future, while helping ensure employers and businesses are supported in attracting the talent and investment they need to continue driving green growth. Publishing a Green Industrial Strategy will also set out how we will help businesses and investors realise the opportunities of the global transition to net zero.

Question reference: S6O-03197

Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 06 March 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 13 March 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide further details of the progress that it is making towards fulfilling its 2017 commitment to increase the number of GPs by 800 within a decade.

Question reference: S6W-25686

Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 22 February 2024
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 4 March 2024

To ask the Scottish Government on what date it will publish its Green Industrial Strategy.

Question reference: S6W-25687

Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 22 February 2024
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 28 February 2024

To ask the Scottish Government on what date it will publish its Energy and Just Transition Strategy.

Question reference: S6O-03145

Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 February 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 29 February 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that critical transport infrastructure is resilient against extreme weather events.