To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had and will have with rural communities, such as residents and businesses in the Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale Constituency, regarding the restrictions on the installation of wood-burning stoves. (S6O-03455)

The new-build heat standard currently applies only to new buildings and certain conversions. Wood-burning stoves can still be installed to provide emergency heating where justified, recognising the unique needs of rural and island communities. The Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy wrote to Ms Grahame recently to confirm that we are taking seriously the concerns that Ms Grahame and others have raised. Obviously, I am new in this post. We are urgently reviewing the position in light of those concerns and ensuring that we work with and communicate with all concerned parties, including businesses, as we do so. I believe that I have already said that I would go to Ms Grahame’s Constituency to speak to one such business.

Thank you very much, Minister. I had forgotten that I had invited you—I am glad that you reminded me.

Speak through the chair, Ms Grahame—unless the invitation is extended to me.

I beg your pardon, Presiding Officer. I should know better.

I am glad that the Minister reminded me that I had invited the minister to visit my Constituency.

I refer to the letter of 16 May that the minister referred to, which responded to various concerns that I had. To quote it:

“I would like to reassure you that we have heard the concerns raised recently ... and we are taking these fully on board.”

It seems that, with fresh people in post in the Government, we may very well be doing that. Therefore, I again ask the minister to come round my constituency with me—that is a second invitation, which not many people get from me—to evidence the log piles that are stacked beside cottages in the villages. Logs are cheap and accessible locally. The minister can reach out and understand the impact that there would have been had wood-burning stoves been banned—I appreciate that it was not a complete ban—for usage in areas where they are essential.

Christine Grahame makes a good point about sustainable supply of fuels for these forms of heating. I assure her that I take very seriously the concerns that she and many others have raised. I am happy to reiterate the commitment to urgently review our position, which was made in the letter of 16 May. Again, I accept that second invitation to go to the member’s Constituency. Meaningful dialogue with those affected, particularly in relation to the concerns that have been raised by island and rural communities, will be key to that review. I want to involve individuals and businesses in that. I want to respond to the many pieces of correspondence that I have had from members across the chamber on the issue.

My motion that will be debated next week recognises the importance of wood-burning stoves in the rural and island communities that the Minister mentioned. Those stoves are often the only source of heat and hot water when power is lost. The Scottish National Party’s ban could leave vulnerable households and communities isolated and at greater risk, as well as worsening high levels of Fuel Poverty. The measure has cross-party support, including from Christine Grahame and the current Deputy First Minister, Kate Forbes. Does the minister accept that the Scottish Government has got this wrong from the very start? Will she commit today to reversing the SNP’s ban on wood-burning stoves?

It is really important that I correct Jamie Halcro Johnston: there is not a ban on wood-burning stoves.

There is. It is an effective ban.

There are new regulations in place, and I know that Mr Halcro Johnston knows that. I look forward to responding on behalf of the Government in that debate next week.

I know how people who live in rural constituencies heat their homes—I am from a rural Constituency—which is why, initially, I liaised with the Minister responsible at the time on the fact that a lot of homes have such stoves for secondary use or for use in an emergency situation. I am committed to taking on board a lot of the correspondence that has come my way on the issue and to looking at how we ensure that rural communities are not disproportionately affected by what we do.

I am pleased to hear the Minister commit to urgently reviewing the issue. Constituents have reached out to me who are genuinely unsure whether they can continue with planned builds, and housing associations and councils are similarly uncertain about what the policy will mean for them. Given that contradictory information is circulating, clear messaging from the Government is necessary to reassure rural and island residents. Can urgent reassurances be given to those who are in the process of building green homes that depend on wood-burning stoves—a renewable and sustainable source of heating—and those who hope to build such homes in the future?

Emma Roddick makes a good point about sustainability and about biomass being used for heating in rural areas. Buildings that are currently under construction with a building warrant prior to 1 April are unaffected by the regulations. For new warrants after 1 April, as it stands, direct emission heating systems, including wood-burning stoves, can still be installed to provide emergency heating, when that can be justified.

I acknowledge that it can be difficult to reconcile the current guidance with the nature of wood-burning stoves, which are often installed for more frequent use rather than just for emergencies. I am actively working to address those concerns and am actively considering how we can give better direction in that area. I will work with all concerned parties to ensure that I address those concerns.

Question 5 was not lodged.