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The Scottish Government committed in this year’s Programme for Government to consult in the coming year on our proposals for the Heat in Buildings Bill. This consultation will include details on how we plan to phase in a minimum energy efficiency standard across Scotland housing stock, including details on trigger points such as point of sale.

There are no plans to extend the contract of MS Ambition beyond 31 March 2023.

The Scottish Government has no role in the provision of student accommodation, whether in purpose built student accommodation (PBSA) and university and college halls of residence, the private rented sector or student housing cooperatives. However, we are determined to improve accessibility, affordability and standards across student accommodation and the private rented sector as a whole.

A report by the UK Collaborative Centre for Housing Evidence (CaCHE) which was commissioned by Scottish Government to inform the next stages of its review of PBSA (Purpose Built Student Accommodation) and any recommendations to Ministers, was published on 12 December 2022. The review looked at a number of issues, including cost, contract terms, tenancy agreements, planning and regulation, specialist accommodation, support for students, and supply. The PBSA Review Steering Group met on 3 February to consider the findings of the CACHE research, and the Group will submit recommendations to Ministers on forward priorities for improving student accommodation in due course.

The use of MS Ambition was always intended to be a temporary measure and the contact will end on 31 March. Our Priority now is on moving people safely from the ship and towards longer-term accommodation. As part of the joint Glasgow City Council-Scottish Government ‘Disembarkation Strategy’, the council is leading a regional approach with neighbouring authorities to maximise the number of suitable volunteer hosts and social housing opportunities for guests on board. Where a guest refuses a host or social housing offer or where there is no suitable alternative they will be allocated further welcome accommodation before the closure of MS Ambition. However, this may be in a different part of Scotland.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-14431 on 9 February 2023. 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

While the powers to take meaningful action sit with the UK Government, the Scottish Government is doing all it can to support non-domestic energy consumers with high energy bills.

Our Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES) has added a Community Buildings Fund which supports communities and other eligible organisations to improve the heating systems in their buildings and reduce energy bills. This includes funding up to a maximum of £80,000 and includes energy efficiency measures, zero emissions heat and also small-scale generation where there is a clear benefit to the community organisation.

Additionally, the First Minister chaired two energy summits last year attended by energy suppliers, advice agencies and third sector representatives, and which discussed collaborative actions to support non-domestic consumers with energy costs.

We will continue to work with partners to identify what more we can do within the powers available to us to mitigate the impact of high energy costs upon non-domestic consumers including community organisations.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-14430 on 9 February 2023. 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 does not hold this information. While the Scottish Government does collect statistics on homelessness, these do not include specific information relating to student homelessness.

A full review of the homelessness data collections aimed at bringing these up to date, improve consistency and better meet user needs is ongoing. As part of this, the appropriateness and feasibility of gathering information on student status will be fully and carefully considered.

As committed to in this year’s Programme for Government, the Scottish Government will consult in detail on proposals for a Heat in Buildings Bill in the coming year. This consultation will seek views on proposals on how homes might be required to meet at least EPC C standard or equivalent. To support the development of these proposals the Scottish Government are currently in the process of engaging with a range of relevant stakeholders. A series of stakeholder engagement workshops is underway, two of which were undertaken in November and December 2022, with a third planned in the coming months. Over twenty stakeholders were invited to participate in these workshops representing a balance of interests and expertise covering housing, fuel poverty, environment, consumers, industry, legal, landlords, tenants and rural issues.

Since the Bute House Agreement was signed in August 2021, the Scottish Government has been developing a range of proposals to introduce a minimum energy efficiency standard equivalent to EPC C. This standard will be introduced in 2025 subject to Parliament passing the Heat in Buildings Bill, and will take effect on a phased basis over the following years. The Scottish Government plans to consult on these proposals in the coming months, including on approaches to phase in these requirements across the Scottish housing stock.