Scottish Government announce revision of Heat in Buildings Bill

At a Scottish Parliament meeting yesterday (3 April 2025), the Acting Minister for Climate Action made a statement on a revised Heat in Buildings Bill.

In the statement, Alasdair Allan reiterated the Scottish Government’s desire to balance net zero ambitions with the responsibilities being placed upon individuals and organisations, and to ensure that government actions do not place people into fuel poverty. Therefore, the Acting Minister announced a statutory target, rather than a prohibition, of polluting heating systems.

He also set out plans to boost heat network development by developing particular requirements for large, non-domestic premises. Work will be done collaboratively with building owners to ensure appropriate safeguards are brought into effect.

With his statement, the Acting Minister also confirmed that the Bill will include powers to set minimum energy-efficiency standards for owner-occupier and non-domestic properties whilst the Scottish Government progress regulations under existing powers to introduce a minimum energy-efficiency standard in the private-rental sector (PRS MEES). The aim of the regulations is to ensure all privately rented properties reach EPC C.

The Bill forms part of a wider package of legislation being developed rapidly by Scottish Government to drive decarbonisation, address fuel poverty, assess social housing standards and reform Energy Performance Certificates (EPC).

The Acting Minister concluded his statement to the Scottish Parliament with a commitment to engage further with stakeholder groups and governance in due course.