Introduction of Heat in Buildings Bill timetable: FOI release

Information requested

• a renewed timetable for a new Heat in Buildings Bill and
• an outline of what parts of the currently drafted Bill will be removed from the renewed one.

Response

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the Scottish Government does not have the information you have requested. The reasons why we don't have the information are explained below.

The Minister for Climate Action recently confirmed our intention to introduce a Heat in Buildings Bill in Year 5 of this Parliamentary session. This will create a target for decarbonising heating systems by 2045, and send a strong signal to homeowners, landlords and other building owners on the need to prepare for change. Scottish Government plan to deliver a revised Bill that responds to the legitimate reservations and concerns raised since our consultation completed, including the risk of exacerbating fuel poverty and burdening individual householders with an overly onerous responsibility as we decarbonise.

This Bill will include:

• A target for decarbonising heating systems by 2045, sending a strong signal to homeowners, landlords and other building owners on the need to prepare for change while outlining collective actions to help do this.
• Provisions to boost heat network development by developing requirements for large, non domestic premises, including powers to require public sector buildings to connect to district heating when available.
• Powers to set minimum energy efficiency standards for owner-occupier and non-domestic properties, while we progress regulations under existing powers to introduce a minimum energy efficiency standard in the private rented sector.

We are working to prepare this Bill for introduction in Year 5 of this Parliament, which will accompany our related work on EPC reform under existing powers, but have not as yet produced a timetable or draft legislation.

Standards for social housing sit outwith the Bill, but we will continue to engage with social housing stakeholders about the implications for our proposed Social Housing Net Zero Standard of a revised Bill and our proposals to consult on minimum energy efficiency standards for the private rented sector.

Progress towards decarbonisation in housing also depends on action in reserved areas from the UK Government too. These actions include rebalancing gas and electricity prices and clarity on its intentions and timeline for phasing out gas boilers.

The Minister for Climate Change’s announcement can be read in full at Meeting of the Parliament: 03/04/2025 | Scottish Parliament Website.

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