Chamber and committees

I know, but you will have to—

If we want our town centres to be places where not only young people go, should we consider disposable income? Older people might like the idea of older people, like them—if the definition of “older people” means the over-50s, I will embrace my older age—serving them in bars, restaurants and shops. That makes a place more inclusive, and people might spend more because they have disposable income. That might be economically attractive.

With the governor of the Bank of England stating that “apocalyptic” food price increases, along with global food supply shortages, will increase inflation further, the current cost of living crisis will get worse and energy prices are expected to increase again in October. Do you acknowledge the view of some energy and poverty advice bodies that neither the UK Government nor the Scottish Government is treating the situation as a real crisis?

Do any improvements need to be made?

I think that the convener will want to move on, so it might be helpful if Historic Environment Scotland wrote to the committee with its views on NPF4 from a conservation perspective, because the committee has a wider interest in that regard.

Roger, will you give us your perspective on area-based approaches, particularly with regard to pre-1919 properties, many of which might be owner occupied? What role could Historic Environment Scotland play in supporting such approaches? You might be aware of the myth of Historic Environment Scotland being somehow an inhibitor rather than an enabler of change, particularly with windows. Will you also reflect on what the draft national planning framework 4 will mean for conservation and how it might be used by Historic Environment Scotland to celebrate our heritage in some dynamic way? I realise that that is quite a big area to cover, but I am interested in hearing your views on it.

What is Historic Environment Scotland’s view on double or triple-glazing historic buildings?

Thank you for joining us. I want to look further at the place-based approach. It is clear that there is evidence that that approach could help, as we have already heard with regard to area-based schemes. Our inquiry is about local authorities, but I do not think that anybody in the last evidence session mentioned local authorities in relation to the place-based approach, although we were primarily looking at owner-occupiers in that discussion. What changes would be needed for local authorities to be involved in a place-based approach in the public and private sectors? For owner-occupiers, might that best be left to a new vehicle, which you mentioned in those last answers to the convener? I ask Janette Webb and then Teresa Bray to answer that.

The measures that both Governments are taking are welcome, but as we heard last week from Greg Hands MP, the UK Minister for Energy, Clean Growth and Climate Change, the UK Government is adopting a wait-and-see approach. It has not brought forward an emergency budget, and it is clear that it sees the challenge of energy price increases as a welfare issue. What is your view? Do you see it as a welfare issue, an energy issue or both? With your insight given your energy responsibilities, what measures on energy could be delivered? Keith Anderson from Scottish Power has proposed a social tariff of £1,000 so that there is a cut in bills. What is your view on that?

Thank you. I will move on to a question for Elaine Waterson. Owner-occupiers and those who are not in fuel poverty are expected to be proactive in seeking information, advice and support about decarbonisation. What would or could be the role of local authorities in an area-based, zoned, street-by-street or place-based approach? How do we unlock and stimulate that collective action?