SNP still refuse to confirm timeline for warmer, greener homes bill
The SNP is showing a lack of leadership on introducing crucial legislation to deliver warmer, greener homes to cut energy bills, says Scottish Green Co-leader Patrick Harvie.
Mr Harvie’s comments follow a Scottish Government debate in which Minister Gillian Martin would not lay out a timetable for the vital legislation and appeared to play down expectations about what would be included in the Bill.
The Bill, which was under development by Mr Harvie in his time as a Minister, and was on track for introduction in November last year, will focus on improving the energy efficiency of our homes and changing to clean heating systems.
Mr Harvie said:
“The Bill is essential if Scotland is going to cut carbon emissions and cut people's energy bills. Already, switching to a heat pump can save up to half a household's heating bills, but people need support to make the switch and the clean heat industry needs clarity from Government.
“That clarity has been completely absent in the year since the government consulted, and during the unexplained four month delay to getting the Bill introduced.
“Now today the SNP have basically said to everyone interested in this issue - "don't expect much and don't expect it soon." It flies in the face of the climate ambitions that this government is supposed to have.
“Scotland has already lost heat pump manufacturing jobs, a sector which should be growing not shrinking. That is only likely to get worse with this lack of leadership from the Scottish Government.
“This is yet another example of the SNP's climate delays, which have grown more and more worrying over the last year. It will also delay the huge benefit households need to see from ending their reliance on fossil fuels and their volatile prices.”