8. To ask the Scottish Government how its housing strategy will support action to deliver the target of 1 million homes to be retrofitted with zero carbon heating systems by 2030. (S6O-01435)

Our “Housing to 2040” and heat in buildings strategies work together to deliver our statutory targets for climate change and fuel poverty.

Commitments such as the aim that all new homes that are delivered for social rent are zero emission by 2026 provide a strong foundation for our heat in buildings programme, as we continue to retrofit all homes by 2045.

We have also committed to introducing a new housing standard by 2025.

We will explore how the proposed housing standard and the heat in buildings strategy can be aligned to achieve fair and just implementation.

ECO4 is a United Kingdom Government scheme to the value of £1 billion, which councils can apply for. It is designed to improve the energy efficiency of low-income and vulnerable households. What is the Scottish Government doing to encourage all Scottish councils to take full advantage of the scheme?

I will get the Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings, Active Travel and Tenants’ Rights to write to the member on the specific point about the scheme.

For Scotland alone, we are allocating at least £1.8 billion over the parliamentary session to accelerate the deployment of efficiency measures for heat and energy and to support those who are least able to pay. We have also set up the green heat finance task force to recommend ways of increasing individual and private sector investment.

The Deputy Presiding Officer:

That concludes portfolio questions. There will be a short pause before we move to the next item of business.