Chamber and committees

Questions and answers

Parliamentary questions can be asked by any MSP to the Scottish Government or the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. The questions provide a means for MSPs to get factual and statistical information.

Written questions must be answered within 10 working days (20 working days during recess)
Other questions such as Topical, Portfolio, General and First Minister's Question Times are taken in the Chamber

Urgent Questions aren't included in the Question and Answers search. There is a SPICe fact sheet listing Urgent and emergency questions.

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Question reference: S6W-19608

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 30 June 2023
Current Status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 28 July 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has made an assessment of the number of properties that will no longer be eligible for support through the Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan and Private Rented Sector Landlord Loan schemes for solar PV and/or energy storage systems because they are unable to have a heat pump or high heat retention storage heaters.

On behalf of the Scottish Government, Element Energy previously conducted analysis of the technical suitability of low-carbon heating technologies in Scottish domestic buildings. A copy of this report is available below.

Scottish Government (2020). Technical Feasibility of Low Carbon Heating in Domestic Buildings. URL: https://www.gov.scot/publications/technical-feasibility-low-carbon-heating-domestic-buildings-report-scottish-governments-directorate-energy-climate-change/

Low TemperatureAir Source Heat Pumps (ASHPs) are deemed to be technically suitable for around 55 – 76% of homes currently existing in Scotland. If homes were to adopt measures to achieve Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) C where technically feasible and cost-effective, then this share would increase to 75 – 77%.

The report also shows that electric storage heaters are found to be suitable for 82-100% of homes before energy efficiency measures are installed, and 95-100% after.

The HES Grant and Loan scheme also provides support for energy efficiency measures, which increases the number of homes able to install a zero direct emissions heating system. This includes grant funding of up to 75% of the combined costs of measures up to a maximum £7,500 is available, with an additional £7,500 of funding available as an interest free loan.

Question reference: S6W-19607

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 30 June 2023
Current Status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 28 July 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what the basis was for the decision for applications to the Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan and Private Rented Sector Landlord Loan schemes for solar PV and/or energy storage systems to be ineligible unless the applicant is also applying for this as part of a package together with a heat pump or high heat retention storage heaters, from 27 June 2023.

The purpose of the Home Energy Scotland (HES) Grant and Loan scheme is to decarbonise heat in homes through installation of zero emissions heating systems, and reduce heat demand through energy efficiency measures, in support of the Scottish Government’s Heat in Buildings Strategy.

Recently we have seen a substantial increase in the number of applications received to the scheme. Much of this rise has been driven by a surge in applications for solar PV and energy storage systems, the majority of which are not installed alongside a zero emissions heating system and therefore do not contribute directly to decarbonisation of heat in homes.

So we have reviewed funding to ensure that we are focusing finite public funding in the ways which best support the Heat in Buildings strategy aims.

Solar PV and energy storage systems will continue to be funded through the scheme, but only where installed alongside a certified renewable heating measure (such as a heat pump) or where there is already one in place. As such, funding is being targeted at measures which will have the biggest impact on reducing emissions from heating homes.

Measures and funding offered through the Private Rented Sector Landlord Loan scheme are currently under review, but in the meantime, the conditions under which solar PV and energy storage are offered loan funding have been aligned with the HES Grant and Loan scheme.

The Scottish Government recognises the importance of energy generated from solar in contributing to the decarbonisation of Scotland’s energy supply and to a just transition to net zero. This is why we have set out a draft vision for solar in Scotland, in the draft Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan 2023. The final solar vision will be published by the end of 2023.

Question reference: S6W-19609

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 30 June 2023
Current Status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 25 July 2023

To ask the Scottish Government how many properties have received support from the (a) Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan and (b) Private Rented Sector Landlord Loan scheme for solar PV and/or energy storage systems where the household did not claim any qualifying benefits, since the scheme was created.

Neither the Home Energy Scotland (HES) Grant and Loan Scheme or the Private Rented Sector (PRS) Landlord Loan Scheme require the household or applicant to be in receipt of benefits to be eligible for funding. Accordingly, no information is collected in regard to this during the application process.

The HES Grant and Loan Scheme is available to all homeowners in Scotland. The PRS Landlord Loan Scheme is available to registered private landlords, acting either as an individual or a business, that owns privately rented properties.

Question reference: S6W-19611

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 30 June 2023
Current Status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 25 July 2023

To ask the Scottish Government how many applications have been made to the (a) Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan and (b) Private Rented Sector Landlord Loan scheme for a heat pump or high heat retention storage heaters, since the scheme was created, and how many applications have been successful.

The requested application figures for heat pumps and high heat retention storage heaters for the Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan Scheme and Private Rented Sector Landlord Loan Scheme are set out in the following tables:

Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan Scheme
Applications Received	1657
Applications Successful	1326
Applications Rejected	21
Applications Being Processed	310
Figures are from scheme launch in December 2022 to 03 July 2023.

Private Rented Sector Landlord Loan Scheme
Applications Received	69
Applications Successful	47
Applications Rejected	21
Applications Being Processed	1
Figures are from scheme launch in April 2020 to 03 July 2023.

Note - the figures for “Applications Being Processed” includes applications which are awaiting applicants to supply additional information required to progress to the next stage of the process.

Question reference: S6W-19610

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 30 June 2023
Current Status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 24 July 2023

To ask the Scottish Government how many applications have been made to the (a) Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan and (b) Private Rented Sector Landlord Loan scheme for solar PV and/or energy storage systems, since the scheme was created, and how many applications have been successful.

The requested application figures for solar PV and/or energy storage systems for the Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan Scheme and Private Rented Sector Landlord Loan Scheme are set out in the following tables:

Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan Scheme
Applications Received	2987
Applications Successful	2425
Applications Rejected	64
Applications Being Processed	498
Figures are from scheme launch in December 2022 to 03 July 2023.

Private Rented Sector Landlord Loan Scheme
Applications Received	9
Applications Successful	7
Applications Rejected	2
Applications Being Processed	0
Figures are from scheme launch in April 2020 to 03 July 2023.

Note - the figures for “Applications Being Processed” includes applications which are awaiting applicants to supply additional information required to progress to the next stage of the process.

Question reference: S6W-19318

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 27 June 2023
Current Status: Answered by Siobhian Brown on 5 July 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what the total spend by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service was on the contract with Systel for a new national command and control mobilising system.

Question reference: S6W-19317

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 27 June 2023
Current Status: Answered by Siobhian Brown on 5 July 2023

To ask the Scottish Government how much has been spent by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, to date, on the legal process following its decision to terminate its contract with the supplier, Systel, for a new national command and control mobilising system.

Question reference: S6W-19351

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 June 2023
Current Status: Answered by Siobhian Brown on 4 July 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what annual budget saving it anticipates will be achieved from the reported removal of 10 appliances from fire stations across Scotland.

The Scottish Government allocates a budget to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service as part of the annual Budget Act process. Decisions on how that budget is spent in order to deliver a balanced budget is a matter for the SFRS Board and Chief Officer as the Accountable Officer.

It is appropriate that SFRS continues to review its operations to ensure it is effective and delivering value for money and that includes taking decisions on the number and location of fire appliances. The Scottish Government does not hold information on the potential cost or savings from individual operational decisions made by SFRS.

Question reference: S6W-18373

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 12 June 2023
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 20 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what action it can take in response to the recently published Office of National Statistics figures, which reportedly show that Scotland is the "zero-hours contracts capital of the UK", with 105,000 workers in Scotland on zero-hours contracts.

The Scottish Government firmly opposes the inappropriate use of zero-hours contracts and other non-standard types of employment that offer workers minimal job or financial security. We continue to press the UK Government for the full devolution of employment powers in order to allow us to protect and enhance workers’ rights and tackle the inappropriate use of zero hours contracts.

We are limited to what we can achieve at present and recognise that only with independence can we realise our full potential. Our Fair Work Action Plan sets out the action we are taking, using the levers we have control over, to promote and deliver fairer working practices.

Through our flagship Fair Work First policy, we are applying Fair Work criteria to as many funding streams, business support grants and public contracts as we can. The inclusion of the criterion no inappropriate use of zero hours contracts is a key mechanism for driving fair pay in Scottish workplaces.

For the last seven years we have funded the STUC to support its efforts in tackling precarious work and promoting fair work in under-unionised sectors.

In 2021 we introduced a Living Hours Employer Accreditation Scheme for Scotland, recognising that as well as payment of the real Living Wage, the number and frequency of working hours and security of contract are critical to addressing in-work poverty.

My previous answer to S6W-18372 on 8 June 2023, S6W-18374 on 9 June 2023 & S6W-18375 on 6 June 2023 provides the details on how the Scottish Government is engaging in these areas with various stakeholders, businesses, unions and employers on the matter of Zero Hours Contracts using our Fair Work policy to promote fairer work practices across the labour market in Scotland.

All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers .

Question reference: S6W-18490

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 01 June 2023
Current Status: Holding Answer by Mairi McAllan on 15 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it was consulted by Transport Scotland prior to the decision to privatise the electric vehicle (EV) charging network.