Parliamentary questions

Brian Whittle

810 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.

6 Dec 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-22658 by Patrick Harvie on 16 November 2023, what economic modelling it has done to ensure that the recycling sector is prepared for the future potential demand of recycling of units and component parts of (a) gas boiler and (b) heat pumps and other…

Answer · Patrick Harvie: The Scottish Government has not undertaken economic modelling on this particular point. We will continue to engage with the sector in ensuring it can respond to the increasing take up of clean heating systems over the next decades, including undertaking econo…

6 Dec 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made on the actions outlined in the Heat in Buildings Supply Chains Delivery Plan to date.

Answer · Patrick Harvie: We continue to make progress against the actions outlined within the Heat in Buildings Supply Chains Delivery Plan. In November 2022 we launched the Green Heat Innovation Support Programme and the Green Heat Installer Engagement Programme . More recently …

6 Dec 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-22659 by Patrick Harvie on 16 November 2023, what support is available for homeowners who are seeking to install renewable heating systems to meet net zero and heat in buildings targets, but for which current renewable solutions that are technically…

Answer · Patrick Harvie: Our technology-neutral approach to decarbonising homes across Scotland will enable home owners to choose the technology which is right for them, which may in many instances be a heat pump. Although heat pumps are much more efficient than gas boilers, their r…

6 Dec 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what economic modelling it has completed to understand how sectoral skills within recycling services for heat pumps will meet future demand.

6 Dec 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what criteria applicants must meet in order to be considered for the rural uplift under the Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan scheme.

Answer · Patrick Harvie: The Home Energy Scotland (HES) Grant and Loan scheme is open to all domestic owner-occupied households in Scotland. The rural uplift to the HES Grant and Loan is available to all island households, as well as households with a rural classification of 7 or 8 …

6 Dec 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-22645 by Patrick Harvie on 16 November 2023, how it will determine whether the Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan scheme has been successful.

Answer · Patrick Harvie: The objective of the Home Energy Scotland (HES) Grant and Loan Scheme is to support the installation of energy efficiency and clean heating measures amongst owner occupiers. We use a number of metrics to monitor the scheme with particular focus on the number…

6 Dec 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government at what rate it anticipates the servicing sector in relation to clean heat systems to grow.

Answer · Patrick Harvie: As uptake of clean heating systems increases, the number of people employed in the sector is expected to increase. The rate of increase required will be driven by consumer demand, which in turn will be driven by a range of different factors including any regu…

6 Dec 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-22657 by Patrick Harvie on 16 November 2023, what economic modelling has been completed to understand the potential impact of future demand for servicing of renewable heating solutions on market rates for (a) labour and (b) parts.

Answer · Patrick Harvie: No economic modelling has been undertaken. As we continue to engage with the sector, if a need for economic modelling emerges then we will consider it. A key ask of the supply chain has been clarity about scope and timing of regulation which is central to the…

6 Dec 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-22629 by Patrick Harvie on 16 November 2023, what specific (a) actions and (b) outreach its marketing campaign for the Home Energy Scotland (HES) Grant and Loan scheme consists of.

Answer · Patrick Harvie: As referred to in the answer to question S6W-22629, we are planning an awareness raising campaign in the new year for those considering installing a heat pump. Options to maximise the reach and impact of the campaign are still being considered but include PR,…

6 Dec 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to the potential impact that maintenance costs may have on the longevity of green heat systems in low-income households when developing its Heat in Buildings Bill consultation.

Answer · Patrick Harvie: Clean heating system maintenance costs will vary depending on factors including the type of system and usage. We are proposing a technology-neutral approach to decarbonising homes across Scotland, with homeowners able to choose the technology which is right f…

6 Dec 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-22671 by Patrick Harvie on 16 November 2023, whether it will consider collecting information on the number of people in Scotland who are qualified to undertake heat loss surveys.

Answer · Patrick Harvie: As we continue to engage with the sector, if a need to collect this information emerges then we will consider it.

6 Dec 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government for what reasons a funding offer under the Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan scheme would be declined.

Answer · Patrick Harvie: Applications to the Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan Scheme can be unsuccessful due to the failure of a credit check. Credit checks are only carried out when an applicant is requesting loan funding. An application may also be declined if the application f…

6 Dec 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-22647 by Graeme Dey on 16 November 2023, in light of the targets presented in the Heat in Buildings Bill consultation, whether it will begin to collect data on how many students who have completed energy efficiency qualifications have remained in Sc…

Answer · Graeme Dey: As highlighted in the Heat in Buildings Monitoring and Evaluation Framework release from 28 November, existing data on further and higher education enrolments and apprenticeship starts may give an indication of the scale of the skills pipeline for the sector,…

6 Dec 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-22629 by Patrick Harvie on 16 November 2023, whether it is considering making any changes to its marketing strategy to further raise awareness of the Home Energy Scotland (HES) Grant and Loan scheme.

Answer · Patrick Harvie: As referred to in the answer to question S6W-22629, we have a marketing campaign planned for the new year which will target households who are considering installing a heat pump. We are currently developing options for this campaign.

6 Dec 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-22670 by Patrick Harvie on 16 November 2023, of the number of funding offers that are included in the table, how many progressed to installation, also broken down by local authority area.

Answer · Patrick Harvie: Applicants have 9 months from confirmation of a funding offer to arrange and complete installation of the funded measures. Funding offers are only paid once the measure has been installed and a valid claim form and supporting documentation has been submitted …

6 Dec 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much it anticipates that it will spend on any revisions to the current marketing plans for the Home Energy Scotland (HES) Grant and Loan scheme.

Answer · Patrick Harvie: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-23653 on 21 December 2023. Marketing plans for Home Energy Scotland grants are currently in development. As such there are no plans requiring revision. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are availab…

6 Dec 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-22664 by Patrick Harvie on 16 November 2023, whether applicants to the Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan scheme must meet a minimum (a) repair and (b) insulation standard, where technically feasible, prior to becoming eligible for funding for rene…

Answer · Patrick Harvie: Renewables systems must be recommended on an Energy Performance Certificate or a report issued by a Home Energy Scotland advisor. When a renewables report is carried out for an applicant, the assessor will bring to the attention of the owner any issues in the…

6 Dec 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-22629 by Patrick Harvie on 16 November 2023, what demographic data it is using to target its marketing campaign for the Home Energy Scotland (HES) Grant and Loan scheme.

Answer · Patrick Harvie: We use a wide range of evidence to help support and guide the targeting of the Home Energy Scotland campaign. This includes evidence gathered from Home Energy Scotland and the Energy Saving Trust , and the Scottish Government’s Public Insight Monitor. We al…

6 Dec 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much it has (a) budgeted for and (b) spent on the most recent marketing campaigns for the Home Energy Scotland (HES) Grant and Loan scheme.

Answer · Patrick Harvie: The most recent marketing campaign for the Home Energy Scotland grants was in March 2023. The budget spent on this campaign was £203,755. A further campaign specifically talking to grant and loans in relation to Heat Pump installation is planned for the new …

6 Dec 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-22648 by Graeme Dey on 16 November 2023, in light of the targets presented in the Heat in Buildings Bill consultation, whether it will begin to collect data on how many students are pursuing energy efficiency qualifications.

6 Dec 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what specific action points have arisen from meetings between the Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings, Active Travel and Tenants’ Rights and the energy efficiency sector in the past year.

Answer · Patrick Harvie: Scottish Government values our relationship with stakeholders in the energy efficiency sector. In the past year I had a number of opportunities to discuss the heat transition and I will continue to engage with the sector and work with them to ensure that they…

6 Dec 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-19954 by Patrick Harvie on 9 August 2023, whether it will provide a breakdown of the data included in the table by local authority area.

Answer · Patrick Harvie: The information requested could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. We have recently provided data on the number and value of grants and loans awarded for the Home Energy Scotland (HES) Grant and Loan Scheme broken down at local authority level under …

6 Dec 2023 · Written Question

Answer · Patrick Harvie: The data sources used to identify this audience are listed in the answer to question S6W-23654 on 21 December 2023. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https:…

6 Dec 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-22666 by Patrick Harvie on 16 November 2023, what economic modelling has been completed to understand the ability of the current supply chain for heat pump maintenance to meet future demand.

Answer · Patrick Harvie: No economic modelling has been undertaken. As we continue to engage with the sector, if a need for economic modelling emerges then we will consider it. Future demand for heat pump maintenance will be influenced by a range of different factors related to busin…

6 Dec 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-22629 by Patrick Harvie on 16 November 2023, what criteria it uses to assess whether a household is "able to consider installing a heat pump".

Answer · Patrick Harvie: Our Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan scheme is open to all domestic owner occupiers in Scotland. Our Home Energy Scotland Advice Service provide free, tailored advice on the suitability of a heat pump for a property and advise on what support is available.…

5 Dec 2023 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that rural populations have convenient and appropriate access to care homes.

4 Dec 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it defines the term "just transition" in the context of urban communities.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government defines a just transition as both the outcome – a fairer, greener future for all – and the way we get there by developing action in partnership with those impacted by the transition to net zero. Extensive co-design and engagement with…

4 Dec 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it defines the term "just transition" in the context of rural communities.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government defines a just transition as both the outcome – a fairer, greener future for all – and the way we get there by developing action in partnership with those most likely to be negatively impacted by the transition to net zero. We recogni…

4 Dec 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it defines the term "just transition" in the context of skills development.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government defines a just transition as both the outcome – a fairer, greener future for all – and the way we get there, by developing action in partnership with those most likely to be negatively impacted by the transition to net zero. In the co…

4 Dec 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6O-02743 by Neil Gray on 16 November 2023, what consideration it has given to the role of the education system and associated extracurricular activities in its work to mitigate population trends of levels of inactivity, in order to make a targeted, ear…

Answer · Maree Todd: The Scottish Government understand the importance of sport and physical activity and the positive impact that it has, not only on physical, mental, and social health but on wider social outcomes. We are committed to ensuring that all children in primary scho…