Scrapping the Heat in Buildings Bill
The acting net-zero secretary for the Scottish government, Gillian Martin, has informed MSPs that the proposed Heat in Buildings Bill (the ‘Bill’) will now not be put before the Scottish Parliament.
The Scottish Government had originally proposed the Bill in 2023, with a public consultation on it closing in March 2024. The main objective of the Bill was for all properties in Scotland to have a "non-polluting" primary heating system by 2045, to be achieved by replacing gas boilers with green alternatives such as heat pumps or by connecting to heat networks.
Martin has stated that the effect of the Bill, as it is currently drafted, would put an unduly onerous financial burden on Scottish homeowners. She has said that a bill will now be introduced only when she is satisfied that the measures would decrease fuel poverty as well as decarbonising houses.
We have previously reported on the residential and commercial aspects of the Bill, which are summarised by the following five proposals:
- The introduction of a new Heat in Buildings Standard (prohibiting the use of direct emission heating systems as the main heating system in buildings);
- Requirements for purchasers of buildings to upgrade heating systems to meet the new standard;
- A requirement for residential properties to meet minimum energy efficiency standards (owner occupied and rented properties having different compliance dates);
- Confirmation that minimum energy efficiency standards would not apply to commercial buildings; and
- Provisions in relation to heat network zones.
It is worth noting that changes to building regulations which came into force on 1 April 2024 mean that new build residential housing is already subject to requirements that they should not be heated or cooled by means of a direct emission heating systems, subject to certain exemptions. More details, including with regard to the exceptions can be found by viewing the relevant regulation here (paragraph 6.11).
We now await further information as to when an amended Bill, or any alternative proposals, may be taken forward by the Scottish Government.
