Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government will be producing an Energy Efficiency Action Plan which will set out the policies and programmes being undertaken to improve the energy efficiency of all sectors, including the existing building stock.

The Scottish Government is making important progress in improving energy efficiency. Measures that are currently being implemented include:

The introduction of a new requirement, from 1 December 2008, for all houses put on sale to require a Home Report “ including an EPC and Energy Report with recommendations on how to improve the energy efficiency.

Announcement of proposals for the first stage of an ambitious area based home insulation scheme supported by £15 million of new government funding plus £15 million from other sources. The scheme is currently being developed and is expected to be launched in the autumn.

A commitment to bring forward proposals for a significant loan mechanism. This will assist householders wishing to undertake more expensive measures, such as solid wall insulation and installing renewable technologies.

A new Energy Assistance package [which commences 6 April 2009] will do more to help rural households by including a wider range of measures which will benefit rural homes including air source heat pumps for those off the gas grid and a wider range of insulation measures for homes which cannot take traditional measures such as cavity wall insulation. To ensure that these more expensive measures can be installed the grant maximum has been raised by £500 to £4,000 and the upper grant has been raised by £1,000 to £6,500 for homes which have particularly poor energy efficiency.

The Energy Assistance Package will be backed by Scottish Government funding worth around £60 million per annum “ 30% more than the original fuel poverty budget and will help to lever in additional CERT funding from the energy companies worth up to £100 million. The package will be delivered through the successful Energy Saving Scotland Advice network co-ordinated by the Energy Saving Trust.

Working with energy suppliers, through the Scottish CERT Strategy Steering Group, to ensure that Scotland receives its fair share of CERT activity not only in terms of population, but also to meet our distinctive energy needs.

Funding the Carbon Trust to support larger, energy intensive businesses and public sector bodies, to reduce their energy use. Through the Energy Saving Scotland advice network, Energy Saving Trust deliver sustainability living advice to consumers and small and medium-sized enterprises.

This government remains fully committed to replacing the unfair council tax with a fairer tax based on ability to pay. Legislation will now be brought forward following elections in 2011.

There are already a number of measures available to encourage the uptake of microgeneration and energy efficiency technologies including:

Energy Saving Scotland advice centres;

Carbon Emission Reduction Target which subsidises energy efficiency measures;

Recent changes to permitted development to allow a wider range of microgeneration technologies to be fitted without the need for planning permission;

The introduction of the Home Report including an Energy Performance Certificate and an Energy Report with recommendations for measures to improve the energy performance of a home;

Grants for microgeneration technologies through the Scottish Community and Householder Renewables initiative;

The introduction of the new Energy Assistance Package from April 2009, and

The recent Budget announcement of £15 million of new money for an area-based Home Insulation Scheme.

The Scottish Government is responsible, on behalf of Scottish ministers, for the administration of fishing vessel licences in Scotland and Marine Scotland will be part of the Scottish Government. There is therefore effectively no substantive change in the planned responsibilities under Marine Scotland compared with the current position.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-21890 on 23 March 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

Marine Scotland will develop and implement Scottish ministers'' policies on marine issues in Scottish seas. SNH is the Scottish Government''s statutory nature conservation adviser and its functions include provision of advice to ministers on the development and implementation of policies for, or affecting, the natural heritage of Scotland, including Scottish territorial waters. The Scottish Government has a duty under the Conservation (Natural Habitats &c.) Regulations 1994 to have regard to any representations made by SNH on proposals for developments that are likely to have a significant effect on Natura 2000 sites in Scotland. We intend to retain SNH''s role as statutory adviser on nature conservation issues in territorial waters.

Sustainable Seas for All - a consultation on Scotland''s first marine bill included proposals for a marine planning system. It is envisaged that this planning system will have three tiers. One of the proposed tiers will be at the international level involving co-operation with other countries across administrative boundaries. This includes planning of our seas at a regional seas scale in co-operation with neighbouring countries.

The Scottish and UK governments, along with other devolved administrations, plan to work together to develop a UK Marine Policy Statement which will set out high-level marine objectives for our seas.

Following careful consideration, I announced on 9 February 2009 that Marine Scotland will be part of the Scottish Government.

One response from a local authority was amended in writing following the closure of the consultation. This accommodated amendments made by the Council''s Planning, Housing and Environment Committee which convened later than the closure date. The amended response was published with all non-confidential responses on the 23 November 2008.

Marine Scotland will integrate the existing roles and responsibilities of the Scottish Government Marine Directorate, Fisheries Research Services and the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency. That includes their current decision-making functions in relation to marine nature conservation. To the extent that these responsibilities already rest with the Scottish Government or its agencies, this effectively maintains the status quo. Marine Scotland will continue to seek advice from Scottish Natural Heritage and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee as appropriate. We plan further provisions and functions related to marine nature conservation under the Marine Bill.

Responsibility for some decisions relating to marine nature conservation “ for example, related to the question of any proceedings for alleged offences “ currently rests elsewhere. We have no plans to change that approach.