Questions and answers

Question reference: S6W-06714

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 22 February 2022
Current Status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 1 March 2022

To ask the Scottish Government how many short-term holiday let properties it estimates will not have achieved a minimum energy performance certificate (EPC) rating of C or better by the required date in 2025, and what financial and commercial impact it estimates removing that number of properties from the market will have.

Question reference: S6W-07024

Asked by: Michelle Thomson, MSP for Falkirk East, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 28 February 2022
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Kate Forbes on 1 March 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether the publication of the COVID-19 Strategic Framework will be followed by the publication of the National Strategy for Economic Transformation, and when that will be published.

Following the publication of the strategic framework in relation to how Scotland moves forward whilst the threat of Covid 19 remains present, I am today publishing the National Strategy for Economic Transformation which sets out the actions, within the Scottish Parliament’s current powers, that the Scottish Government and partners will take to boost economic prosperity.

The next ten years have been branded the “decisive decade” where we face a choice to either lead or to lag behind other successful economies while we recover from COVID-19, deliver a just transition to net zero and tackle structural inequalities in our society.

This presents us with a unique opportunity to set out how we can build on Scotland’s strengths, recognise the challenges that face us, and maximise the opportunities of the next decade as far as possible within current constitutional arrangements to achieve our vision of a low-carbon, wellbeing economy that creates good well-paying jobs.

The strategy is framed around five policy programmes identified by close analysis of the available evidence https://www.gov.scot/isbn/9781802016703 . They have been shaped by an expert Advisory Council, as well as through extensive stakeholder engagement and consultation.

The Strategy sets out a comprehensive set of actions for each of these policy programmes and I look forward to engaging with Members in a parliamentary debate as we collectively take forward our ambition to ensure these are realised for the benefit of all the people and places across Scotland.

Question reference: S6W-06430

Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 10 February 2022
Current Status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 1 March 2022

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-05804 by Patrick Harvie on 1 February 2022, whether the Green Heat Finance Taskforce will consult off-grid householders about the cost of decarbonising heating system in off-gas-grid properties.

The purpose of the Green Heat Finance Taskforce is to develop a portfolio of innovative financial solutions for building owners in Scotland to ensure that by 2045, our homes and buildings no longer contribute to climate change, as part of the wider just transition to net zero. The Taskforce will be engaging with stakeholders covering both on-gas and off-gas grid properties during 2022. The Scottish Government's Heat in Buildings Strategy has committed to phasing out the need to install new or replacement fossil fuel boilers in off-gas grid homes from 2025, with consideration of additional trigger points and subject to technological developments and decisions by the UK Government in reserved areas. The Scottish Government will consult further on these proposals over the next year.

Question reference: S6W-06429

Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 10 February 2022
Current Status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 1 March 2022

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-05804 by Patrick Harvie on 1 February 2022, whether the Green Heat Finance Taskforce will consult the LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) and bioLPG sector about decarbonising heating systems in off-gas-grid properties.

The purpose of the Green Heat Finance Taskforce is to develop a portfolio of innovative financial solutions for building owners in Scotland to ensure that by 2045, our homes and buildings no longer contribute to climate change, as part of the wider just transition to net zero. Engagement with the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) sector on decarbonising heating systems in off gas-grid properties is taking place separately to the work of the Green Heat Finance Taskforce.

Question reference: S6W-06421

Asked by: Dean Lockhart, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 10 February 2022
Current Status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 1 March 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown by (a) social, (b) local authority and (c) private-occupied housing of the number of domestic dwellings that will be covered by the Heat in Buildings Strategy and require upgrades on energy efficiency or new low-emission heating technologies.

The Heat in Buildings Strategy is the foundation for delivering the heat transition in Scotland. It makes clear the Scottish Government’s intention to use regulation as part of a policy package that will ensure all buildings reach a good standard of energy efficiency by 2033, and use zero emissions heat by 2045. Regulations will also support delivery of the statutory 2030 target and the scale of decarbonisation in the buildings sector set out in the Climate Change Plan update. The breakdown of numbers of dwellings that will require upgrades in different periods and across different tenures depends in part on the detail of how regulations are implemented, meaning at this stage the requested analysis is not possible. We will consult on regulatory proposals prior to introducing legislation, and this process will be accompanied by appropriate impact assessments.

Question reference: S6W-06428

Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 10 February 2022
Current Status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 1 March 2022

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-05804 by Patrick Harvie on 1 February 2022, whether it will publish the (a) membership and (b) remit of the Green Heat Finance Taskforce.

Question reference: S6T-00553

Asked by: Pam Duncan-Glancy, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 28 February 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 1 March 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to prepare for refugees arriving in Scotland as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Question reference: S6T-00537

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 28 February 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 1 March 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government about using the sanctions regime to prevent Russian government-owned tankers entering ports in the UK, including in Orkney.

Question reference: S6T-00534

Asked by: Liz Smith, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 28 February 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 1 March 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what measures have been put in place to recruit a new Chief Executive Officer of the Scottish National Investment Bank following the resignation of Eilidh Mactaggart.

Question reference: S6F-00864

Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 28 February 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 3 March 2022

To ask the First Minister whether she will provide an update on the Scottish Government's plans to replace Carer’s Allowance with a devolved benefit.

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