Liam Kerr

13 Oct 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of air source heat pumps reportedly running at significantly cooler temperatures than gas boilers, what it recommends (a) older and (b) all homeowners do to maintain their heating at a gas boiler temperature level.

Answer · Patrick Harvie: The Scottish Government commissioned a review to synthesise evidence on the operation of heat pumps with relevance to Scotland. The report is available at https://www.climatexchange.org.uk/research/projects/heat-pump-use-in-scotland-an-evidence-review/ As …

13 Oct 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether the funding allocated to the Low Carbon Infrastructure Transition Programme will be sufficient to meet its ambitions for the deployment of heat networks.

Answer · Patrick Harvie: The Heat Networks (Scotland) Act 2021 has set out ambitious targets for heat network deployment, requiring 2.6 terawatt hours of output by 2027 and 6 terawatt hours by 2030. To help meet these targets, the Scottish Government will invest £400 million over th…

13 Oct 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it plans to take to ensure that the contents of its Heat in Buildings Strategy do not disproportionately impact remote and rural communities.

Answer · Patrick Harvie: Alongside the development of the Heat in Buildings Strategy, the Scottish Government worked with stakeholders to undertake a series of impact assessments including a Fairer Scotland Duty (FSD) assessment and an Islands Communities Impact Assessment (ICIA) bot…

13 Oct 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what funding or financial support it plans to put in place to support homeowners and landlords to achieve the required targets set out in its Heat in Buildings Strategy.

Answer · Patrick Harvie: The Home Energy Scotland loan scheme provides up to £15,000 for energy efficiency measures and up to £17,500 for renewables measures (maximum of two). Registered private landlords owning five or fewer properties will be eligible for interest free loans, and o…

13 Oct 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, regarding its Heat in Buildings Strategy, where it anticipates the £31 billion difference, between the £33 billion cost of the project and its £1.8 billion contribution, will come from.

Answer · Patrick Harvie: The Scottish Government estimates the cost of building-level measures to reach our emissions targets over the 24 year period to 2045 will be in the region of £33 billion. We have committed to investing at least £1.8 billion over the five year period of this p…

13 Oct 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, regarding its Heat in Buildings Strategy, what it is doing to ensure that colleges and schools have sufficient trained professionals to teach the skills required to deliver the strategy; what planning is taking place to create and provide such courses; what it is doing to encourage pote…

Answer · Patrick Harvie: Plans to create and provide training courses to support the heat in buildings strategy: Working with industry, we have developed a set of installer skills requirements to help professionalise services in the sector, and provide clearer career pathways for yo…

8 Oct 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to introduce an initiative similar to the Heat Network Efficiency Scheme Demonstrator that has been introduced by UK Government and, if so, by what date.

Answer · Patrick Harvie: The Heat Networks (Scotland) Act sets statutory heat network deployment targets, requiring 2.6 terawatt hours of output by 2027 and 6 terawatt hours by 2030. To help achieve this, we have committed to invest at least £400 million over this parliamentary sessi…

6 Oct 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the developments regarding Aberdeenshire Council’s reported objection to the A90/A937 Laurencekirk Junction Improvement Scheme, what the updated timeline is to (a) start and (b) complete the work.

Answer · Graeme Dey: I can confirm that Aberdeenshire Council’s reported objection to the A90/A937 Laurencekirk Junction Improvement Scheme remains extant and would refer the member to the answer to question S6W-02821 on 23 September 2021. All answers to written parliamentary que…

4 Oct 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answers to questions S6W-02357 and S6W-03041 by Graeme Dey on 13 September and 1 October 2021 respectively, whether it will provide the information requested and confirm whether fully electrifying the East Coast Main Line between Edinburgh Haymarket and Aberdeen (a) is or…

Answer · Graeme Dey: Full electrification of the line between Edinburgh Haymarket and Aberdeen is not an absolute prerequisite for achieving the decarbonisation of Scotland’s railway by 2035. As set out in the answer to question S6W-03041, however, it remains the expectation that…

30 Sep 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much revenue it has raised from properties subject to the Higher Property Rate poundage for non-domestic rates in each local authority area in the North East Scotland region in each of the last five years, also broken down by industry sector.

Answer · Tom Arthur: The following tables show estimates of the additional income arising from the Large Business Supplement (up to 2019-20) and the Higher Property Rate (from 2020-21) in the Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, Angus, Dundee City, and Moray local authority areas. Pleas…

30 Sep 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many properties in each local authority area in the North East Scotland region are subject to the Higher Property Rate poundage for non-domestic rates, also broken down by industry sector.

Answer · Tom Arthur: There are a total of 2,603 properties in the Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, Angus, Dundee City, and Moray local authority areas subject to the Higher Property Rate. Please note that this includes the entire local authority areas, as data by parliamentary const…

30 Sep 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the comment by the Minister for Energy, Connectivity and the Islands during his ministerial statement on 11 February 2021 that a "hydrogen action plan...is due for publication in 2021", by what date in 2021 it plans to publish this.

Answer · Michael Matheson: Hydrogen policy officials are currently working on the development of the Hydrogen Action Plan. The five year Hydrogen Action Plan will be published shortly and will set out the actions that the Scottish Government will take to support Scottish supply chain a…

27 Sep 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the comment by the Minister for Transport on 23 September 2021 that there is a plan in place to provide 30,000 electric vehicle charge points by 2030, which is “evolving”, how many (a) electric vehicle (EV), (b) diesel and (c) petrol cars it projects will be in use by 2030; h…

Answer · Graeme Dey: The Scottish Government’s previous response to question S6W-03332 on 26 October 2021 highlights that Transport Scotland is working closely with Scottish Futures Trust to consider the most appropriate structures and approach to growing and developing Scotland’…

26 Sep 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-01907 by Michael Matheson on 16 August 2021, what assessment it has made of the delivery of its fuel poverty target in relation to its decision to phase out the installation of new or replacement fossil fuel heating systems in off-gas-grid homes fiv…

Answer · Patrick Harvie: The Scottish Government will publish a series of impact assessments which, amongst a range of other issues, consider the effect that the actions we have set out in the Heat in Buildings Strategy will have on fuel poverty. These impact assessments have been t…

26 Sep 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-01907 by Michael Matheson on 16 August 2021, whether there was a public consultation on its decision to phase out the installation of new or replacement fossil fuel heating systems in off-gas-grid homes five years earlier than homes connected to the…

Answer · Patrick Harvie: The Scottish Government’s draft Heat in Buildings Strategy proposed that any regulations requiring the installation of zero emissions heating systems would be phased in, with all building owners being required to comply by 2045. The draft Strategy specified …

26 Sep 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-01907 by Michael Matheson on 16 August 2021, for what reason it has decided to phase out the installation of new or replacement fossil fuel heating systems in off-gas-grid homes five years earlier than homes connected to the gas grid.

Answer · Patrick Harvie: The Committee on Climate Change (CCC) is the statutory advisory body to the Scottish Ministers in respect of meeting their duties under climate change legislation. The CCC has stated that, with respect to the decarbonisation of heat, our short-term prioritie…

26 Sep 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings, Active Travel and Tenants' Rights has had with the Minister for Just Transition, Employment and Fair Work regarding its decision to phase out the installation of new or replacement fossil fuel heating systems in off-gas-grid homes …

Answer · Patrick Harvie: The Scottish Ministers take collective responsibility for all decisions reached by the Scottish Government, and will continue to do so in future, including on our commitment to phasing out the need to install new or replacement fossil fuel boilers, in off-gas…

26 Sep 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-01907 by Michael Matheson on 16 August 2021, by what date it plans to phase out the installation of new or replacement fossil fuel heating systems in (a) off-gas-grid homes and (b) homes connected to the gas grid.

Answer · Patrick Harvie: As set out in the Heat in Buildings Strategy, we will phase out the need to install new or replacement fossil fuel heating systems, in off-gas grid homes from 2025 and in on-gas areas from 2030, subject to technological developments and decisions by the UK Go…

24 Sep 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans (a) it has and (b) its agencies have to include a multi-modal approach to their transport fleets to promote greater use of active travel, including through the use of (i) e-bikes, (ii) pedal bikes, (iii) cargo bikes and (iv) other modes of transport other than electric cars.

Answer · Graeme Dey: The Scottish Government’s corporate travel strategy actively promotes the sustainable travel hierarchy. For example, it sets an expectation that people will limit travel by using video conference technology in the first instance. Where staff need to travel th…

24 Sep 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement by the Minister for Transport on 23 September 2021 that “working with local government partners, we have committed to reduce car kilometres travelled nationally by 20% by 2030. I hope to outline measures to achieve that later his year", whether it will publish d…

Answer · Graeme Dey: As set out in the Scottish Government’s Climate Change Plan update (CCPu) published in December 2020, a route map will be produced by the end of 2021, assuming the pandemic has moved to a phase to allow this. The commitment to reduce car kms by 20% by 2030 …

24 Sep 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the comment by the Minister for Transport on 23 September 2021 that there is a plan in place to provide 30,000 electric vehicle charge points by 2030, which is “evolving”, whether it will publish this plan, and by what date the fully-completed final plan will be published.

Answer · Graeme Dey: Transport Scotland, recently published a joint report with Scottish Futures Trust setting out the opportunities to grow Scotland’s public electric vehicle charging network and the conditions that will be needed to facilitate this over the next few years. The …

23 Sep 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answers to questions S6W-02678 to S6W-02684 and S6W-02686 by Richard Lochhead on 22 September 2021, how many "good, green jobs" it expects will be created; in what fields; by when, and what it defines as (a) "good" and (b) "green" jobs.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: Our definition of ‘good’ jobs is informed by the Fair Work Convention which defines Fair Work as offering effective voice, fulfilment, opportunity, respect and security. For workers, Fair Work means security of pay and contract, having a say in workplace deci…

23 Sep 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answers to questions S6W-02678 to S6W-02684 and S6W-02686 by Richard Lochhead on 22 September 2021, whether it will (a) provide a copy of, or signposting to, the "co-design and co-delivery approach" that is referred to, (b) clarify what the "programme of broad engagement"…

Answer · Richard Lochhead: As detailed in our response to the Just Transition Commission, a co-designed and co-delivered approach will ensure all partners are empowered to engage and that action is fair and co-ordinated. This means placing those most likely to be negatively impacted by…

23 Sep 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answers to questions S6W-02678 to S6W-02684 and S6W-02686 by Richard Lochhead on 22 September 2021, whether it will clarify what or who it means, precisely, by "partners, communities and other stakeholders".

Answer · Richard Lochhead: Our approach to developing the Fund will mirror our just transition planning work. The Fund will be co-designed and co-delivered with those who stand to be most significantly impacted by the transition to net zero. This is likely to include, but not be limite…

23 Sep 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the Aberdeen to Laurencekirk Multi-Modal Study does not specifically reference a new station at Altens.

Answer · Graeme Dey: The Aberdeen - Laurencekirk multi-modal study is being undertaken by Nestrans and includes consideration of a range of multi-modal options. The potential options being considered as part of this transport appraisal have been determined by Nestrans who have de…

23 Sep 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government (a) whether and (b) when it plans to publish its next steps on the Nestrans Case for Change appraisal of Cove and Newtonhill railway stations, from November 2020.

Answer · Graeme Dey: Transport Scotland received Nestrans’ ‘Case for Change’ in November 2020, the first of three consecutive appraisal s reports for the study, which includes consideration of a range of multi-modal options, including potential options for stations at Newtonhill …

22 Sep 2021 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to recent research, which suggests that chain stores in Scotland closed at a rate of 30 per week during the first six months of 2021.

20 Sep 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-02355 by Graeme Dey on 13 September 2021, whether it will confirm that the answer means that there is currently no plan to fully electrify the railway between Edinburgh Haymarket and Aberdeen.

Answer · Graeme Dey: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-03041 on 1 October 2021. 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-committe…

20 Sep 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to S6W-02398 by Patrick Harvie on 13 September 2021, by what date it will have completed "developing and implementing a bespoke public engagement strategy for heat in buildings".

Answer · Patrick Harvie: The Scottish Government will publish the final Heat and Building Strategy in due course, which will set out next steps in its delivery following the recent consultation; this included our intention to publish a public engagement strategy which is essential to…

20 Sep 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-02565 by Graeme Dey on 13 September 2021, what information it has regarding when Network Rail will conclude its assessment of the options identified; who will select the most effective options; what the criteria are for this selection; when this sel…

Answer · Graeme Dey: The options selection work will be concluded by Transport Scotland, Network Rail and ScotRail by summer 2022. In accordance with the Rail Enhancements Capital Investment Strategy each of the options will be appraised to identify which offer the most benefits …