Tackling Energy Inefficiency Through Repair and Maintenance

That the Parliament notes the view that there is a need for urgent action to improve the energy efficiency of existing buildings through repair and maintenance, to ensure that they are windproof and watertight, comfortable to live in, and affordable to heat; understands that the built environment sector is facing a shortage of people with the correct skills, knowledge and materials to undertake these projects; notes the view that increased support from the Scottish Government is required to address what it sees as this skills gap; further notes the view that training provisions are required throughout Scotland, including in the Lothian region, to ensure that young people have equal access to roles within the construction industry; notes the view that a sustainable model must be found to ensure that there is a skilled workforce across the whole construction industry, to give homeowners the opportunity to repair and maintain their buildings, and therefore reduce their carbon emissions; believes that this issue is of nationwide importance, and notes the calls on all political parties to collaborate to ensure that there is a sustainable, skilled construction workforce in Scotland.