Scotland’s leading business community has welcomed the Government’s move to axe the current Heat in Building Bill, claiming it would have had a drastic impact on homes and businesses.
Doug Smith, Vice President of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said: “Despite lengthy policy publications, numerous consultations and engagement sessions we had faced a fundamentally flawed bill that demonstrated an incomplete understanding of the Scottish property market and failed to take into account the impact on business (or non-domestic) premises.
“While many households will welcome this move, what is less well understood is that the draft bill covered more than just houses – it also captured every business property in Scotland: factories, offices, warehouses, shops, surgeries, cinemas, garages…the list goes on.
“Had it been introduced in its draft form, investors, owners and occupiers (and even lenders) could have had great difficulty in delivering its requirements and in some cases would have potentially found it legally or physically impossible to do so.
“The delay is disappointing from an environmental perspective and for the continuing lack of clarity for households and businesses. However, it is vital we get this important legislation right, and we applaud Gillian Martin, the acting net-zero secretary, for taking this action now.”
The SCC have urged the Scottish government to ensure any new draft Bill reflects the distinctive nature of business property, as opposed to primarily residential, so that those who own and occupy them around Scotland are presented with a framework which is well-informed, implementable, and realistic.
Mr Smith added: “The non-domestic property or business sectors did not want delay for its own sake. There is recognition across all parts of these sectors that reducing emissions from the built environment is an objective to be supported and delivered.
“Our concerns have been raised on a number of occasions, including during the formal consultation process with Scottish Government. We hope the delay will provide the opportunity to get the structure and application of the final bill right for the domestic sector as well as for those who own or occupy non-domestic property.
“As Scotland’s largest business organisation, we stand ready and willing to work with the Scottish Government to help shape the non-domestic elements of the proposed revised legislation so that they better reflect the characteristics of the non-domestic sector and in so doing, make it more likely that the ultimate objective of a reduction in emissions from this element of the built environment is secured.”
