Heat network licensing: equality impact assessment

Recommendations and Conclusion

The equality impact assessment has identified three mitigating factors across all groupings, which will be implemented at the relevant/appropriate time. These are listed below:

1. The priority service register will ensure that certain groups such as the elderly, disabled and living with anyone under 5 years are provided extra advice and support if there’s any disruption to their utility services such as heating or hot water. This will be applicable in future implementation of the licensing regime.

2. Ensuring Scottish Government and APS publishing and communication guidelines are followed for inclusive and accessible communications. This will be applicable for the public consultation.

3. Scottish road works legislation is overseen by the Scottish Road Works Commissioner to ensure the safe planning, coordination, and quality of road works throughout Scotland. This will be applicable in future implementation of the licensing regime.

Scottish Government will monitor the success of the above mitigating factors through regular stakeholder engagement during and after the planned public consultation. There will also be further stakeholder engagement for the future implementation of the licensing regime.

Following completion of our equality impact assessment we can confirm no factors have been identified as potentially preventing the desired outcomes of the installation and maintenance licence proposals that are included with the draft Heat in Buildings Bill. We intend to introduce the Bill once the Scottish Parliament returns after the Scottish Election in May 2026. In accordance with democratic processes, future decisions to introduce the necessary Bill may be affected by the outcome of the 2026 Scottish election. Further EQIAs will follow for the drafting and implementation of secondary legislation.