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Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) are calculated in Scotland and the rest of the UK by an approved methodology for both new and existing buildings. The current methodology for assessing new domestic buildings is the Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) and for existing domestic buildings is Reduced data SAP (RdSAP).

The presence of solar thermal installations is assessed as part of the SAP methodology and so its installation would improve the EPC rating by reducing the heat required from the main heating system and so reduce the cost of heating hot water. Solar Domestic Hot Water systems can also appear as a recommendation automatically generated as part of an EPC assessment.

As stated in the answer to question S6W-41965 on 27 November 2025, the Scottish Government intends to adopt the Home Energy Model (HEM) methodology as the basis for calculating the ratings on a domestic Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). The reformed domestic EPC will contain a new Heating System Rating. We expect solar thermal systems will largely operate as part of a hybrid system with other technologies. This will be reflected in the rating awarded. Our intended Heating System Rating bandings were published in the updated Government Response on 10 October. This can be found at: Supporting documents - Energy Performance of Buildings (Scotland) Regulations 2025 - EPC reform consultations: SG response - update - gov.scot.

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 appointment of a new Chair for the Sheku Bayoh Inquiry is an immediate priority, and steps to progress this have already commenced at pace. However, this is a complex process that must comply with statutory requirements. Under section 10 of the Inquiries Act 2005, consultation with the Lord President is required if a serving judge is being considered. While there is no statutory requirement for the Chair to be a serving or former member of the judiciary, continuity within the judiciary is considered important to maintain confidence among core participants. It is also essential that the Inquiry continues to meet the State’s obligations under Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights, and a legally qualified Chair may be best placed to ensure those obligations are fully met. For these reasons, it is not possible to provide a definitive timescale at this stage, but the process is being treated as a matter of urgency.

Our Heat in Buildings Programme offers a wide variety of schemes that provide funding to reduce heat demand and decarbonise heat in our homes and buildings.

The most common use for solar thermal technology is in providing domestic hot water heating only. Whilst it can provide space heating, for this reason, it was described as a secondary technology within the Heat in Buildings Strategy.

For homeowners seeking to install solar thermal technology to their home, up to £5,000 of loan funding is available through the Home Energy Scotland (HES) Grant and Loan scheme. Solar thermal is also funded through our national fuel poverty scheme, Warmer Homes Scotland (WHS), where specific criteria are met.

No funding is available for solar PV systems through the HES Grant and Loan Scheme, however targeted deployment of this technology is funded through the WHS programme and Area Based Schemes.

As in the Chief Planner letter dated 27 August 2020, the Scottish Government considers that a battery storage installation generates electricity and is therefore to be treated as a generating station for the purposes of deciding whether Section 36 consent is required. This position has not changed. The letter can be accessed at: Battery storage consents: Chief Planner letter August 2020 - gov.scot.

Our Heat in Buildings Programme offers a wide variety of schemes that provide funding to reduce heat demand and decarbonise heat in our homes and buildings.

The Scottish Government currently offers loan funding of up to £5,000 for solar thermal installations through the Home Energy Scotland (HES) Grant and Loan Scheme. No grant or loan support is available for solar PV installations through the scheme, however, targeted support for this measure is available through our Warmer Homes Scotland and our Area Based Schemes, where scheme specific criteria are met.

Currently, the Scottish Government does not plan to review the level of support available for solar thermal installations through the HES Grant and Loan scheme.

The Scottish Government is committed to supporting the current and future skills needs of the rural economy. We are integrating consideration of skills for rural Scotland into mainstream skills policy development and delivery, including the Post School Education and Skills Reform (PSESR) programme. This approach follows the delivery of the Skills Action Plan for Rural Scotland (2019) that produced better alignment of skills delivery to skills needs in the rural economy.

The Scottish Government funds Lantra Scotland to contribute to increasing the number and diversity of skilled employees in the land-based, aquaculture and environmental conservation sectors.

Operational decisions such as course provision are a matter for individual colleges. However, in recognition that Scotland’s colleges are a vital part of our economy and wider society, the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) allocations provide a 2.6% sector increase in teaching funding for 2025-26 compared to last year, with an increase of almost 5% in capital maintenance funding over the same period.

Agricultural support payments are funded through a range of budget lines in the Rural Affairs, Islands and Land Reform portfolio. The following table sets out the total budget for the relevant budget lines for each of the previous five years and how much was unspent at the end of each year (based on the outturn for each budget). In 2020-21 and 2021-22, these figures were significantly affected by EU funding. The total budgets shown are a combination of EU and national funding, excluding the corresponding EU receipts.

This is an operational matter for ScotRail Trains Ltd. The member may wish to contact ScotRail Trains Ltd directly to obtain the information related to complaints received by it.

The Scottish Government recognises the importance of Financial Education in equipping learners with key life skills. Financial literacy is embedded in the curriculum in Scotland through numeracy and maths, business studies and personal and social education classes. Financial Education is a key feature of Curriculum for Excellence Experiences and Outcomes for Numeracy and Mathematics, assisting learners in making decisions about managing money, ensuring best value and budgeting. Credit, debt, earnings and deductions are also included within the curriculum alongside effectively managing money, making appropriate use of technology and appreciating the importance of budgeting.

Education Scotland provides professional learning resources enabling educators to reflect on their own understanding and knowledge in supporting learning and teaching about money. In addition, a wide range of teaching resources are provided by the private and Third Sector. These include Barclays Life Skills, financial education guidance from the Money & Pension Service and the work of the charity, Money Ready.

Education Scotland are currently reviewing the curriculum in line with the Curriculum Improvement Cycle programme. As part of this review, work is taking place to review the place of financial education within the curriculum. Education Scotland are engaging with a wide range of practitioners and stakeholders, including children and young people, to review current Financial Education teaching and practice and plan how it can most effectively be integrated into the curriculum, ensuring an equitable approach.

All women should be supported with compassion and with advice and services to promote lifestyle changes during their pregnancy to improve their own health and the health of their baby.

As part of the new maternity pathway published earlier this year, midwives begin conversations with women about alcohol use from their first maternity appointment, and revisit this as appropriate throughout the pregnancy.

Women experiencing social complexities such as alcohol use should have continuity of care, where the majority of their care is provided by their primary midwife. This can help women develop a strong, trusting relationship with their midwife throughout their pregnancy.

Midwives can refer women who need additional support to specialist services. In cases where there is significant alcohol use, midwives can also refer women to an obstetrician for their care planning, to make sure they are receiving the care they need.

Ready Steady Baby! includes information about alcohol in pregnancy. It advises women that the safest option is to stop drinking when trying to get pregnant or as soon as they know they are pregnant. It provides women with additional information about the impact of alcohol on their baby, and signposts women to resources of help and support.