Clean heating Bill will come when drafted to reduce fuel poverty – Swinney

The Bill to decarbonise Scottish homes will be introduced when ministers are satisfied it will decrease fuel poverty, John Swinney has said.

The First Minister was pressed by Green co-leader Patrick Harvie, who claimed the Government is scaring off investors in clean heating.

Earlier this week the Scottish Government announced a delay to a key piece of legislation to tackle carbon emissions from buildings.

The proposed Heat in Buildings Bill had been developed during the Greens’ time in government, setting out proposals requiring homeowners to switch from gas boilers to more environmentally-friendly alternatives like heat pumps.

Ministers said the Government is now redrafting the Bill so it also helps tackle fuel poverty.

At First Minister’s Question, Mr Harvie said the Government appears to have now “dropped the plan to help people switch to clean, affordable heating” altogether.

He asked: “Why does the First Minister think any clean heat business would bother investing in Scotland now?”

Mr Harvie said the Greens had always wanted to see financial help for households and cleaner technology will ultimately lead to cheaper bills.

Mr Swinney replied: “The Government will introduce a Heat in Buildings Bill when we are satisfied that the interventions in it will be able to decrease fuel poverty at the same time as they decarbonise houses.”

He said the Government is “absolutely committed” to its agenda on climate action, and will invest more than £300 million in its heat in buildings programme.