Seòmar agus comataidhean

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-07568 on19 April 2022. 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 not contracted Strathesk Resolutions to offer mediation services between trade unions and employers in the public sector.

Home Energy Scotland exists to provide homeowners with impartial and bespoke information about their home energy and renewables options to encourage action to reduce energy use, fuel bills and carbon emissions and increase comfort. The advice services are designed to address well-known barriers to action including costs, lack of confidence and information about options and installers, and potential disruption.

It is important that homeowners are given impartial information about all of their options, including for example, replacement of existing fossil fuel heating systems, to ensure they are as informed as possible and make the right choice for them. Home Energy Scotland also has a role to encourage the uptake of low and zero emission heating systems to meet climate change targets and this is one of the reasons as to why the specialist renewables support services exist. In this regard, Home Energy Scotland does not have a technology neutral stance with regards to which heating systems it is actively raising awareness of.

Within Home Energy Scotland there are specialist renewables advisors with training on home renewables systems, home energy efficiency and solutions for historic buildings. These specialists provide an in-depth service to Scottish homeowners, including on-site visits to assess their home and talk through recommendations in person. Reports and fact sheets are issued to homeowners explaining how best to improve the energy efficiency of their home and which renewables systems may be suitable, alongside fuel bill and carbon saving estimates.

Homeowners are given bespoke information on the next steps to take and other support services accessed via Home Energy Scotland. This includes, for example, how to find renewables installers, where they can read customer reviews of installers, and the Green Homes Network, where they can find case studies of other homeowners who have already made improvements to their home. Members on this network are also willing to speak directly to other homeowners, or host them for a visit, to further share their experiences. Homeowners are also given information about the various financial support routes which are open to them including the Scottish Government’s Home Energy Scotland loan and cashback that helps homeowners with the costs of home energy improvements and renewables systems.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-07905 on 27 April 2022. 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 .

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-07711 on 19 April 2022. 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.

We have written to the Comhairle setting out our view on the issues raised by Tighean Innse Gall and continued delivery of home insulation schemes in the Western Isles. The Scottish Government has proposed practical solutions and remains open to receiving proposals from the council that aim to further strengthen the local supply chain. This year we will allocate £64 million in funding to local councils to support local delivery of Area Based Schemes.

Help and support for fuel poor households continues to be available through our national Warmer Homes Scotland service. Warmer Homes Scotland has installed insulation measures in 17 homes in the Western Isles since last September. Likewise there is a range of cashback and loans available to householders, as well as advice and information, through our Home Energy Scotland helpline.

We recognise the need for urgent action to address our twin nature and climate crises. That is why we are not waiting until the introduction of the Natural Environment Bill to take action. We have already committed to invest £65 in our Nature Restoration Fund over the course of this Parliament and £250 restoring our peatland over this decade. We will soon be consulting on our new Biodiversity Strategy where we will set out our ambitious vision for a nature rich Scotland. We remain committed to introducing a Natural Environment Bill in year 3 which will include nature targets to help tackle the biodiversity and climate crises.

The Scottish Government takes the welfare of all farmed animals very seriously and has recently introduced measures to monitor fish welfare at slaughter. The UK Animal Welfare Committee is currently considering the welfare of farmed fish at slaughter and we will explore the need for any changes to current practice or legislation once the committee publishes its findings.

Scottish Ministers are considering how the ScotWind revenues should be invested to maximise the benefits for the people of Scotland. As part of these considerations, Scottish Ministers will evaluate whether these revenues should fall within the scope of the existing 9% agreement with Crown Estate Scotland.

Building regulations do not apply retrospectively to existing buildings. The regulations apply to new buildings, conversions and to existing buildings where building work is proposed. From 1 June 2022, if remediation is required following a Single Building Assessment, a building warrant will be required for replacement cladding systems (other than minor repairs) and require to meet the amended regulations.