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The Scottish Government has been working closely with the DECC on both the UK Energy Bill which when approved will give powers to develop the Green Deal policy, and the emerging policy work on the Green Deal policy. We have worked to ensure that the UK Bill reflects Scottish interests and that it recognises Scottish devolved areas. We are also engaged with officials in the development of the policy to ensure that Scotland can implement the Green Deal in a manner that meets Scotland''s specific circumstances e.g. location, climate, house types etc. A particular priority for us is to ensure that the Green Deal acts to support the Scottish Energy Efficiency Action Plan. We have a member of Scottish Government staff working in DECC to assist with this process.

Policy development on the Green Deal is at an early stage and we are engaging and negotiating with the UK Government to ensure Scottish circumstances are recognised. We have had discussions with energy companies as part of the CERT (Carbon Emissions Reduction Target) Strategy Group where an overview of the policy was given and discussion on the impact on energy companies was explored. Further discussions, consultation and stakeholder engagement is likely to be carried out by the UK Government and Scottish Government as the policy develops.

Plans are currently underway for the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), working with the Scottish Government, to deliver several stakeholder seminars in Scotland on the UK Energy Bill and the Green Deal. We see this as a first step of engagement and consultation to be held by DECC and the Scottish Government as the Green Deal policy rolls out. Scottish Government will also be consulting on areas of the policy that impact on devolved areas, during the course of the policy development.

The Green Deal is a UK Government led initiative and is expected to be delivered UK wide. In Scotland delivery will differ to take account for devolved matters such as housing and building controls. We are working closely with UK Government colleagues to ensure that the policy being developed takes account of Scottish specific circumstances such as differing house types, location issues, climate etc, and acts to support the delivery of the Scottish Energy Efficiency Action Plan.

The aspects of the Green Deal which will impact on devolved matters that will be subject to the Legislative Consent Memorandum laid in the Parliament on 13 December 2010 are:

Areas of the Green Deal (domestic and non-domestic) around energy efficiency which are devolved;

Areas of the Energy Company Obligation around areas that are devolved, and

In addition, there are also areas of the UK Energy Bill and subsequent Green Deal policy where Scottish Ministers will have powers to make regulations. For example, because energy performance certificates are different in Scotland, the disclosure provisions of the Green Deal in relation to the private and social rented sectors and for disclosure to home owners will require an equivalent alternative approach to ensure the framework regulations represent the Scottish interest.

It has further been agreed that the UK Government will consult with, and require the consent of, Scottish Ministers prior to making any provisions that will affect Scotland. Our overall aim is to ensure that the Green Deal acts to support the Scottish Energy Efficiency Action Plan.

The Scottish Government does not hold this information centrally. I will ask the Chief Executive of Skills Development Scotland to write to you with the information you have requested.

The Scottish Government does not hold this information centrally. I will ask the Chief Executive of Skills Development Scotland to write to you with the information you have requested.

The Scottish Government does not hold this information centrally. I will ask the Chief Executive of Skills Development Scotland to write to you with the information you have requested.

The Scottish Government does not hold this information centrally. I will ask the Chief Executive of Skills Development Scotland to write to you with the information you have requested.

The Scottish Government does not hold this information centrally. I will ask the Chief Executive of Skills Development Scotland to write to you with the information you have requested.