Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 23 February 2011
23 Feb 2011 · S3 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Energy Bill
I have read the Official Reports of the evidence sessions and the submissions that were made to the Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee, and I agree completely with the concerns that Lewis Macdonald raised. If we are to tackle fuel poverty, concerted action needs to be taken at every level of government.
The Energy Bill is important because it will set the UK framework. I say up front that there is much in the bill that Labour can support, but we are not uncritical. We support the concept of the green deal, but we think that commentators have raised legitimate issues that need to be addressed. I make the point to Liam McArthur that it is legitimate to make constructive criticism.
There are some aspects of the bill’s proposals that we believe would be a step backwards. In particular, we agree with Friends of the Earth and WWF that the repeal of HECA must not happen without a new duty being put in place. If HECA is to go, we need to know what will replace it. It is not good enough to say that something will happen. It is possible to design something that would still be a duty, but that is not on the table; I am surprised that Alex Neil did not even mention that.
It is not about local authorities having to do all the work themselves; it is about them being able to set the priorities. They have the local knowledge and the housing stock, so they are best placed to act, but they need to be able to set the priorities. The climate change legislation targets will not be met just as a result of central Government demanding that they are met. Local authorities are crucial.
The Energy Bill is important because it will set the UK framework. I say up front that there is much in the bill that Labour can support, but we are not uncritical. We support the concept of the green deal, but we think that commentators have raised legitimate issues that need to be addressed. I make the point to Liam McArthur that it is legitimate to make constructive criticism.
There are some aspects of the bill’s proposals that we believe would be a step backwards. In particular, we agree with Friends of the Earth and WWF that the repeal of HECA must not happen without a new duty being put in place. If HECA is to go, we need to know what will replace it. It is not good enough to say that something will happen. It is possible to design something that would still be a duty, but that is not on the table; I am surprised that Alex Neil did not even mention that.
It is not about local authorities having to do all the work themselves; it is about them being able to set the priorities. They have the local knowledge and the housing stock, so they are best placed to act, but they need to be able to set the priorities. The climate change legislation targets will not be met just as a result of central Government demanding that they are met. Local authorities are crucial.
In the same item of business
The Presiding Officer (Alex Fergusson)
NPA
The next item of business is a debate on motion S3M-7945, in the name of Alex Neil, on the Energy Bill, which is proposed United Kingdom legislation.17:30
The Minister for Housing and Communities (Alex Neil)
SNP
This is a rather versatile day of business, Presiding Officer.I welcome today’s opportunity to highlight the benefits of the UK Energy Bill, in particular th...
Patrick Harvie (Glasgow) (Green)
Green
Given the close involvement that the minister is suggesting the Scottish Government should have with the green deal and its implementation, can he set my min...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
I must hurry you, Mr Harvie—we have little time.
Patrick Harvie
Green
What opportunity will this Parliament have to ensure that the new arrangements are more suitable for allowing additional action in Scotland than the previous...
Alex Neil
SNP
Mr Harvie should listen to what I have to say, as I am sure that I will be able to reassure him on all points.The stakeholder input and the views of the Econ...
Cathie Craigie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (Lab)
Lab
Will the minister take an intervention?
Alex Neil
SNP
I am sorry, but I do not have time.We note the UK Government’s proposals to introduce new powers to regulate private landlords, to ensure that private tenant...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
You must close now.
Alex Neil
SNP
I will cover the repeal of the Home Energy Conservation Act 1995 in my closing speech.
The Presiding Officer
NPA
I am sorry to hurry members, but there is no time available.
Alex Neil
SNP
I move,That the Parliament agrees that the relevant provisions of the Energy Bill introduced in the House of Lords on 8 December 2010 relating to the creatio...
Lewis Macdonald (Aberdeen Central) (Lab)
Lab
The policy objectives of increasing energy efficiency and reducing fuel poverty are widely shared. The issues that we consider today are whether the bill tha...
Gavin Brown (Lothians) (Con)
Con
I heard the evidence that was provided to the committee. We were also told about a specific provision for tenants, which is distinctive. Will the member comm...
Lewis Macdonald
Lab
The provisions include a responsibility on the tenant to request improvements—not on the landlord to offer them. Also, the powers on energy efficiency in the...
Gavin Brown (Lothians) (Con)
Con
I intend to focus my remarks on the issues on which the committee took evidence and on which there appeared to be some dispute, at least initially.The first ...
Lewis Macdonald
Lab
Does Gavin Brown accept that there is also a broad consensus on the need to replace HECA, rather than simply to repeal it, as is proposed?
Gavin Brown
Con
I accept that there is a broad consensus that we need to ensure that energy efficiency continues to be a focus for local authorities. Norman Kerr, who took a...
Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD)
LD
I am a little puzzled. I certainly appreciate and share the desire to keep fuel poverty at the front of, and central to, political debate in Scotland. Likewi...
Lewis Macdonald
Lab
Will the member give way?
Liam McArthur
LD
I will let in Lewis Macdonald in a second.WWF makes sensible suggestions in its briefing regarding the development of EPCs and the energy company obligation,...
Lewis Macdonald
Lab
Does Mr McArthur have a view on why the bill has come forward at this stage, when it is apparent from everything that we have heard that many of the provisio...
Liam McArthur
LD
A framework has clearly been set, and the minister has addressed the issue of how Scottish interests will be represented through the continuing stages of the...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
You should close, Mr McArthur.
Liam McArthur
LD
On that basis, I will support the motion this afternoon.
The Presiding Officer
NPA
I am afraid that contributions must now be limited to three minutes.17:48
Rob Gibson (Highlands and Islands) (SNP)
SNP
I have pleasure in supporting the Government’s position this afternoon. Having heard the arguments in the Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee, I am glad th...
Lewis Macdonald
Lab
Will the member give way?
Rob Gibson
SNP
I am sorry—I do not have time.As far as HECA is concerned, the Government believes that we will increase the degree of effort that we make on energy efficien...
Sarah Boyack (Edinburgh Central) (Lab)
Lab
I have read the Official Reports of the evidence sessions and the submissions that were made to the Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee, and I agree comple...