Chamber
Plenary, 30 Nov 2006
30 Nov 2006 · S2 · Plenary
Item of business
SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE
Central Heating Programme
Finance and Public Services and Communities
As I have emphasised on more than one occasion in the chamber, there is an issue about increasing demand for what is a very successful and popular programme. However, now that all the people who were inherited from the Eaga Partnership have been surveyed, the number who are eligible is significantly less than the 10,000 to which Margaret Mitchell refers. Therefore, not nearly as many people are waiting as was thought until fairly recently. Of course, there is an issue of demand, which is why we announced about 10 days ago the injection of extra money into the programme for this year. I am also seeking to get extra money into the programme next year.
Let us recognise how successful the programme has been. The target of installing 12,000 systems that was set for this year will be met; indeed, under the warm deal, we will install more systems than we did last year.
Let us recognise how successful the programme has been. The target of installing 12,000 systems that was set for this year will be met; indeed, under the warm deal, we will install more systems than we did last year.
In the same item of business
2. Margaret Mitchell (Central Scotland) (Con):
Con
To ask the Scottish Executive when the Minister for Communities last met representatives of Scottish Gas to discuss the progress of the central heating progr...
The Minister for Communities (Malcolm Chisholm):
Lab
A ministerial meeting with Scottish Gas is being arranged in the near future to discuss the central heating programme and the warm deal. Officials in Communi...
Margaret Mitchell:
Con
I hope that when the minister meets representatives of Scottish Gas he will make them aware that, due to the popularity of the programme, the company has inh...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Trish Godman):
Lab
Is there a question here, Ms Mitchell?
Margaret Mitchell:
Con
Yes.They will be told that they face a long wait before their present system can be assessed, let alone a new system installed.In the light of that, can the ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer:
Lab
No. There should be a question. I do not want a story.
Margaret Mitchell:
Con
I want to know whether the minister can do anything to help my 80-year-old constituents from Strathaven, whose central heating system has just been condemned...
Malcolm Chisholm:
Lab
As I have emphasised on more than one occasion in the chamber, there is an issue about increasing demand for what is a very successful and popular programme....
Tricia Marwick (Mid Scotland and Fife) (SNP):
SNP
When the minister meets Scottish Gas, will he ask whether it is not about time that some sort of priority system was introduced? I have been contacted by a n...
The Deputy Presiding Officer:
Lab
Can I have a question, Ms Marwick?
Tricia Marwick:
SNP
Does the minister agree that there needs to be some sort of priority system and, if so, will he take the matter up with Scottish Gas when he meets the company?
Malcolm Chisholm:
Lab
The guidance makes provision for prioritisation, but we are seeking to build on and formalise that to a greater extent. Members will realise that because all...
Christine May (Central Fife) (Lab):
Lab
Like me, many members will have been contacted by older constituents on the issue and my question, too, concerns prioritisation. I hear what the minister say...
Malcolm Chisholm:
Lab
That issue will be raised at the ministerial meeting. The principle of a degree of prioritisation is certainly accepted; I am merely pointing out that it wou...
John Scott (Ayr) (Con):
Con
The minister will be aware that many of the people on the waiting list have been on it for almost a year. As recently as yesterday, Scottish Gas told me that...
Malcolm Chisholm:
Lab
I do not want to be too party political, but I could begin by saying that there would not be a list at all if the Tories had remained in government.As I have...
John Swinburne (Central Scotland) (SSCUP):
SSCUP
In the event that someone's heating breaks down and they are told that it will be many months before it can be repaired under the programme, will they be rei...
Malcolm Chisholm:
Lab
New repair arrangements are coming in and one of the new conditions that will be introduced in January is that, if a system can be repaired up to a value of ...