Seòmar agus comataidhean

The Scottish Government delivers a broad range of programmes to provide advice and support for property owners related to energy efficiency and clean heating, including the Home Energy Scotland (HES) Grant and Loan Scheme.

There is no such role as field agent within this programme, however there are a range of advisor roles entailed in delivering the grant funded Home Energy Scotland advice service, as well as service delivery staff employed in delivery of the contracted loans and grant administration service. Across these, resource levels are aligned to demand for our services.

Our Heat in Buildings Public Engagement Strategy published in December 2023 outlines our approach to increase awareness and understanding of heat decarbonisation and the support available to help make the transition.

Over 6,000 heat pumps were installed in Scotland last year, with 2,500 of those installs receiving support through HES Grant and Loan Scheme funding.

Our 2025-26 budget includes funding of over £300 million for heat and energy efficiency measures. This includes for the Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan Scheme which is a significant driver of heat pump installations. Since April 2023, the scheme has supported the installation of over 4,000 heat pumps and paid out over £50 million of funding for these measures.

The Green Heat Installer Engagement Programme supports businesses to become accredited in the installation of heat pumps, while the New Build Heat Standard will boost heat pump demand for new build properties.

We are considering issues raised in response to our Heat in Buildings Bill consultation and will confirm next steps as soon as practicable.

I refer the member to the answer to the question S6W-32419 on 17 December 2024. 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

Since 2020 the Barrhead Line has been electrified (23 single track kilometres) and electrification and enhancement of the line to East Kilbride is underway with a planned completion of December 2025.

I refer the member to the answer to the question S6W-32419 on 17 December 2024. 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 Scottish Government has no powers over the Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS).

Ofgem and Energy UK are leading a cross-industry response to the RTS switch-off, which includes a public awareness campaign, which we welcome. However, with under five months till the switch-off on 30 June 2025, and no clear Plan B, the UK Government must use its powers to direct urgent and proportionate action.

In January, I wrote to the UK Minister for Energy Consumers to request that Ofgem include RTS related obligations in licence conditions for both suppliers and the Data Communications Company (DCC) who run the smart meter network. This change would compel both to use every tool available to ensure that households and businesses in Scotland and across Britain do not suffer detriment as a result of the RTS switch off.

However, the Scottish Government remains concerned at the rate of progress. We will continue to engage with the UK Government on a frequent and sustained basis to ensure that Scottish communities are not caused any detriment as a result of poor smart-meter accessibility and the RTS switch-off. This includes offering to convene a jointly-chaired roundtable on energy consumer issues and participation in the Ofgem-led RTS communications working group, which brings together consumer organisations, government and industry.

Any consumers experiencing difficulties with their supplier can contact Advice Direct Scotland (ADS). Funded by the Scottish Government, ADS runs the free national energy advice service and can be contacted on 0808 196 8660 or at energyadvice.scot.

During the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence for 2024, a webpage was launched on the Transport Scotland website that brings together information on the research undertaken by Transport Scotland's programme on women and girls’ safety on public transport. It also references broader work being undertaken in this area by Transport Scotland and the Scottish Government.

The ‘launch’ of the website was timed to coincide with an event organised by White Ribbon Scotland at Waverley Station in Edinburgh to raise awareness of the 16 Days of Activism, which was attended by the Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity and received media coverage.

As part of the 16 Days of Activism, Transport Scotland officials have presented at events to promote the research and website, including a cross party meeting on women’s safety on public transport at the Scottish Parliament; and a workshop organised by the UK Government's Department for Transport and the Bus Centre for Excellence in London. Material from these presentations including details of the website have been shared online by the relevant organisations involved.

Since then, Transport Scotland officials have shared details of the website directly with relevant contacts from British Transport Police and Scotrail as well as internally via the Violence Against Women and Girls Policy Forum, attended by over 100 policy colleagues across the Scottish Government. The website will also feature in the latest Equally Safe monthly Bulletin, which is distributed to a wide range of stakeholders from national and local government and third sector, who have an interest in Violence Against Women and Girls and Equally Safe policy. Officials have also shared the website with colleagues in Public Health Scotland with a remit around violence prevention.

Transport Scotland officials will continue to take every opportunity to promote the website via relevant channels.

We are aware that two registered social landlords have approached the Scottish Government for financial support for the assessment and if needed remediation of potentially unsafe cladding.

The 'open call’ process referred to in the answer to question S6W-32849 remains under development. Further information will be set out in the renewed plan of action to be published in March.

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

Further information on the approach to social housing will be set out in in the renewed plan of action for cladding remediation to be published in March.