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As referred to in the answer to question S6W-22629, we are planning an awareness raising campaign in the new year for those considering installing a heat pump. Options to maximise the reach and impact of the campaign are still being considered but include PR, digital advertising and press activity.

Our Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan scheme is open to all domestic owner occupiers in Scotland. Our Home Energy Scotland Advice Service provide free, tailored advice on the suitability of a heat pump for a property and advise on what support is available.

We run targeted marketing campaigns. As stated in the answer to S6W-22629, we are planning to run a campaign which will target early adopters alongside other strands of awareness raising activity. Evidence shows that this group tend to be owner occupiers, environmentally minded and aged over 40. Advice on the suitability of individual homes for heat pumps will continued to be provided to those responding to the campaign by Home Energy Scotland. We also run an annual campaign targeting those in or at risk of being in fuel poverty to encourage households to contact Home Energy Scotland for support via our Warmer Homes Scotland scheme which continues to provide free heating and energy efficiency upgrades for those most in need.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-23652 on 21 December 2023 regarding targeted marketing at the over 55 age group. I further refer the member to my answer to question S6W-23657 on 21 December 2021 regarding the part of his question regarding specific forms of marketing activities.

The Home Energy Scotland ‘Warmer Homes Scotland’ campaign includes a specific target audience of the over 60s. This campaign includes a digital advertising strand targeted at this age category who live in the 20% most deprived postcodes in Scotland. In addition, press is included to help target those who are not digitally engaged, alongside TV advertising on daytime STV and C4 Scotland.

All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers .

The Scottish Government does not hold this information. Businesses may become TrustMark registered and information on these businesses is available on the TrustMark website.

The Scottish Government has not undertaken economic modelling on this particular point. We will continue to engage with the sector in ensuring it can respond to the increasing take up of clean heating systems over the next decades, including undertaking economic analysis if this is appropriate.

We use a wide range of evidence to help support and guide the targeting of the Home Energy Scotland campaign. This includes evidence gathered from Home Energy Scotland and the Energy Saving Trust , and the Scottish Government’s Public Insight Monitor. We also utilise demographic data held by our dedicated media agency, Republic of Media.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-23653 on 21 December 2023. Marketing plans for Home Energy Scotland grants are currently in development. As such there are no plans requiring revision. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers .

Renewables systems must be recommended on an Energy Performance Certificate or a report issued by a Home Energy Scotland advisor. When a renewables report is carried out for an applicant, the assessor will bring to the attention of the owner any issues in the property that may affect the energy efficiency improvements. It is the responsibility of the owner of the property to address these issues.

Where loft/roof and wall insulation are recommended on the Energy Performance Certificate of the property, these must be either be installed prior to the renewables system applied for or be installed as part of the funding application.

Scottish Government values our relationship with stakeholders in the energy efficiency sector. In the past year I had a number of opportunities to discuss the heat transition and I will continue to engage with the sector and work with them to ensure that they help inform how we achieve our climate change ambitions.

Applicants have 9 months from confirmation of a funding offer to arrange and complete installation of the funded measures. Funding offers are only paid once the measure has been installed and a valid claim form and supporting documentation has been submitted to the scheme administrator.

Of the 1,923 heat pump funding offers made through the Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan Scheme from its launch on 2 December 2022, the number that had completed their installation and been paid by 31 August 2023, broken down by local authority are: