New Build Heat Standard 2024: equality impact assessment
Equality impact assessment (EQIA) considering the New Build Heat Standard (NBHS) proposals and implications of moving away from direct emissions heating systems in new buildings. Considering in detail the impacts and potential for increasing equality as a result of introducing these regulations.
This document is part of a collection
Stage 2: Data and evidence gathering, involvement and consultation
Characteristic[4]
Age
Evidence gathered and Strength/quality of evidence
No specific evidence in relation to new builds.
Age of new home buyers
Data from the Help to Buy (Scotland) scheme indicates that the vast majority of new home purchases were made by those under 35 years of age (77%), with the average (mean) age of Help to Buy recipients being 31 years old.
Fault reporting in homes
When considering existing buildings, older households are less likely than families and other household types to report that their heating system doesn’t always keep them warm in winter; 12%, compared to 16% of families and 21% of other households.
Source
Scottish house condition survey: 2019 key findings - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
Help to Buy (Scotland): Help to Buy Characteristics Report 2020-21
Data gaps identified and action taken
Within the Part II consultation, we asked:
- How might these proposals impact upon people with one or more of the protected characteristics listed in the Equality Act 2010 (for example: a positive, negative or neutral impact)?
- How might these proposals help the Scottish Government ensure due regard of the three needs of the public sector equality duty(PSED)?
Within the consultation feedback, respondents mentioned the elderly as requiring higher levels of heat and delivered with more consistency - as these groups were more likely be at home for longer periods than the average householder.
It was highlighted that building users could now have the ability to monitor energy use and set smart controls, so that there is no risk of periods without heat. However, smart controls are not unique to non-DEH systems and they will also vary by the zero direct emissions (ZDEH) system chosen.
Characteristic[4]
Disability
Evidence gathered and Strength/quality of evidence
No specific evidence in relation to new builds.
Disabled people are more likely to live in social rented housing: “Social renters are more likely to have a limiting, long-term physical or mental health condition (45%) than those in the private rented sector (22%), those who own their homes outright (28%) and those who own their homes through a mortgage (14%).”
Source
Scottish household survey 2019: annual report
Data gaps identified and action taken
As noted above, two questions relating to this EQIA were asked within the consultation in an effort to gain an understanding of potential impacts.
Within the consultation feedback, issues were flagged in relation to heat demand and need for accessible controls.
Running costs were also highlighted as an area of concern.
However, the greater use of monitoring of homes could help to ensure the required level of heat is delivered – although this also is not unique to non-DEH systems.
Characteristic[4]
Sex
Evidence gathered and Strength/quality of evidence
No specific evidence in relation to new builds.
Data from the Help to Buy (Scotland) scheme highlighted that, for purchases involving one named buyer, 46% of purchasers were female and 54% were male.
For purchases involving two named buyers, the split of purchasers was 51% female and 49% male.
Source
Help to Buy (Scotland): Help to Buy Characteristics Report 2020-21
Data gaps identified and action taken
Consultation feedback:
- Studies provided showing plus 2 degrees Celsius heat requirement on average for women compared with men[5][6].
Women more likely to live in social housing and suffer any knock-on ill-effects should new systems fail.
Characteristic[4]
Pregnancy and
Maternity
Evidence gathered and Strength/quality of evidence
No specific evidence in relation to new builds.
Source
N/A
Data gaps identified and action taken
Consultation feedback:
- Pregnant women and new mothers mentioned as having high heat demands coupled with consistency of supply.
- The NBHS will focus primarily on heat. It is, however, important to highlight that the recently concluded Building Standards energy review will, from February 2023, introduce measures to reduce the heat demand within new buildings.
Characteristic[4]
Gender Reassignment
Evidence gathered and Strength/quality of evidence
No specific evidence in relation to new builds.
Source
N/A
Data gaps identified and action taken
Consultation feedback:
Characteristic[4]
Sexual Orientation
Evidence gathered and Strength/quality of evidence
No specific evidence in relation to new builds.
Source
N/A
Data gaps identified and action taken
Consultation feedback:
Characteristic[4]
Race
Evidence gathered and Strength/quality of evidence
No specific evidence in relation to new builds.
In 2019, 82% of those who were White Scottish lived in socially rented households compared to 80% of owner occupied households, 55% of households in the private rented sector, and 65% of households in other tenures. These percentages are similar to previous years.
In the same year 15% of adults in private rented households were White Other British compared to 14% of adults in owner occupied homes and 6% in socially rented households.
In 2019, 6% of adults in private rented households were Asian, Asian Scottish or Asian British compared to 2% of adults in socially rented households and 2% of adults in owner occupied households.
In 2019, 3% of adults in socially rented households were African, Caribbean or Black compared to 1% of adults in private rented households, 1% of adults in other tenures and 0% of adults in owner occupied households.
Source
Scottish household survey 2019: annual report
Data gaps identified and action taken
Consultation feedback:
Characteristic[4]
Religion or belief
Evidence gathered and Strength/quality of evidence
No specific evidence in relation to new builds.
Source
N/A
Data gaps identified and action taken
Consultation feedback:
Characteristic[4]
Marriage and civil partnership
Evidence gathered and Strength/quality of evidence
No specific evidence in relation to new builds.
Source
N/A
Data gaps identified and action taken
Consultation feedback:
Contact
Email: 2024heatstandard@gov.scot
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