The Scottish Government has paused the proposed Buildings (Heating and Energy Performance) and Heat Networks (Scotland) Bill, the Cabinet Secretary for Housing told the Scottish Parliament on 18 November 20251. The draft Bill, which would have supported the move away from fossil fuel heating such as gas boilers, will now be introduced after the Scottish Parliament returns following the Scottish Election in May 20261.
The government had intended to bring forward a Heat in Buildings Bill in this parliamentary session, based on proposals announced to Parliament in April 20251. It wanted Parliament to scrutinise the legislation alongside the latest information, including the UK Government's Warm Homes Plan. That plan has been delayed, and the government concluded there was too little time left in the session to proceed1.
"That plan has been delayed and, with little time left in this parliamentary session, we therefore concluded that the Bill should be paused."
The draft Bill and draft Explanatory Notes have been published now, which the government says is to provide clarity to industry and stakeholders1. The government restated its commitment to decarbonising heat in buildings by 2045 in its draft Climate Change Plan, published in November 20251. It also said it has "led the way by requiring new homes to install clean heating" and through work to promote investment in heat networks1.
Why it matters for households
The Bill was the intended legislative route for changing how homes in Scotland are heated, moving away from fossil fuel systems such as gas boilers1. Its pause means that route is now on hold until after the May 2026 election, and the government notes that plans will need to take into account the outcome of that election1. For households, no new legal duties arising from this Bill take effect in the current session. The 2045 decarbonisation commitment remains stated government policy1, but the mechanism for delivering it in buildings has been deferred. How many Scottish homes currently rely on mains gas for heating, and how many use renewable or low carbon heating, is set out in our guides to mains gas heating in Scotland and renewable heating numbers in Scotland. Support schemes that already operate, such as the Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan, are separate from this Bill. The wider devolved settlement behind this legislation is explained in Energy and Buildings Policy in Scotland.
What happens next
The government intends to introduce the Bill once the Scottish Parliament returns after the Scottish Election in May 20261. It will engage with stakeholders on the draft Bill during this parliamentary session, including a consultation in early 2026 on heat network installation and maintenance licences1. No date has been reported for the Bill's introduction beyond the post-election intention1.