Questions and answers

Question reference: S6W-08489

Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 12 May 2022
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 23 May 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether fabric efficiency regulations will require compliance at specified points in the building lifecycle, including (a) sale, (b) re-let, (c) major renovation, (d) conversion and (e) extension.

The Heat in Buildings Strategy (7 October 2021), committed to introducing primary legislation in the current session of the Scottish Parliament that would set a regulatory framework for heat and energy efficiency, as a key action to meeting Scotland’s statutory climate change targets.

This strategy proposes to introduce minimum energy efficiency standards for private rented, owner-occupied and social housing. Regulations are proposed to be introduced that will require all properties to meet a minimum standard equivalent to EPC C by 2033.

Subject to consultation, the Scottish Government is proposing that compliance with the standard may be required at a variety of trigger points, including following the completion of a sale and after the change of a tenancy (for private rented sector properties), where installation of energy efficiency measures is technically-feasible and cost-effective.

The Scottish Government will consult publicly on these proposals within the coming year.

Buildings which are the subject of a conversion, as defined under building regulations, are already required to meet current building standards, to the extent this is reasonably practicable.

Question reference: S6W-08488

Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 12 May 2022
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 23 May 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether new minimum energy efficiency standards will be set at the level of fabric efficiency necessary in conjunction with heat distribution system.

The Heat in Buildings Strategy (7 October 2021), committed to introducing primary legislation in the current session of the Scottish Parliament that would set a regulatory framework for heat and energy efficiency, as a key action to meeting Scotland’s statutory climate change targets.

This year, the Scottish Government will commission independent research which will specify what fabric energy efficiency levels are necessary in existing homes for the cost effective installation of different zero direct emission heating sources, in different archetypes of domestic properties. The outcomes from this research will inform our proposals for energy efficiency regulations, ahead of a public consultation in the coming year.

Improvements to Building Regulations from October this year, (which apply to new buildings and new building work), will improve fabric standards to reduce space heating demand. They will also deliver new heating systems which operate at lower temperatures, compatible with the efficient operation of zero direct emissions heating sources.

Question reference: S6W-08487

Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 12 May 2022
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 23 May 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether its reform of EPC ratings for fabric efficiency standard will use an energy demand metric in kWh/m2/yr, based on the energy demand for space heating and cooling only.

Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) provide an assessment of the modelled energy performance of buildings. The Scottish Government recognises that the information presented on EPCs needs to be reformed in line with the recommendations of the Climate Change Committee. We consulted last year on reforming EPCs to introduce a new metric for energy efficiency. This is intended to ensure that the EPC metrics align with our net zero target.

Following our consultation, we are commissioning research to understand the implications of several options for the new energy efficiency metric. These options include an energy demand metric which would be based on the dwelling’s space heating and cooling demand. As set out in our consultation, we intend that EPCs will present the new energy efficiency metric alongside the current running cost and carbon emissions metrics.

Question reference: S6W-08297

Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 29 April 2022
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 12 May 2022

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-07060 by Shona Robison on 17 March 2022, what the key stages are of assessment, and how many properties are at each stage of assessment.

Single Building Assessment applicants are supported through the process to complete the application form and commission professional services ahead of receiving the final survey report. 15 pilot blocks are within the Application Phase. 10 pilot blocks are within the Delivery Phase. One additional block is existing within the new approach where we direct commission those professional services on behalf of a building.

Question reference: S6W-08296

Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 29 April 2022
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 12 May 2022

To ask the Scottish Government how many quotes single building assessment participants are required to obtain and submit to the Scottish Government.

Question reference: S6W-08293

Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 03 May 2022
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 12 May 2022

To ask the Scottish Government who is included on the Single Building Assessment Register of Assessors.

Question reference: S6W-08237

Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 26 April 2022
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 11 May 2022

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-03968 by Shona Robison on 5 November 2021, when the information "will be placed in the Parliament’s Reference Centre" under "Bib number 62811".

Question reference: S6T-00688

Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 09 May 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 10 May 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what preparations it is making to support people in Scotland, in light of the reported comments by the chief executive of Scottish Power warning that 10 million UK homes could potentially be in fuel poverty this winter.

Question reference: S6W-08223

Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 26 April 2022
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 6 May 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it gave to the needs of blind and partially sighted people in developing National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4).

Improving equality and eliminating discrimination across Scotland is one of the six high level outcomes of National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4). In our draft NPF4, we sought to make clear that we want Scotland’s future places to support health, wellbeing and safety for all.

We are aware of concerns expressed by organisations such as The Royal National Institute for Blind People, suggesting that the policy on liveable places does not focus sufficiently on the needs of people with disabilities. We are currently considering the responses received to the consultation and how to make more explicit reference to a wider range of societal groups in the final version of NPF4, which will be presented to the Scottish Parliament for approval.

Question reference: S6W-08088

Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 14 April 2022
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 6 May 2022

To ask the Scottish Government how the effectiveness of the Third National Planning Framework (NPF3) was monitored and evaluated and whether this was done against the outcomes set out in the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997.

Chamber and committees