The Scottish Government published its response to the Heat in Buildings Bill consultation on 29 January 2026, alongside the consultation analysis report1. The consultation ran from 28 November 2023 to 8 March 2024 and received over 1,600 responses1. The government has confirmed it will not introduce the Bill during this parliamentary session, with the Cabinet Secretary for Housing stating it will be brought forward "as early as possible in the next Parliament, subject to the outcome of the 2026 Scottish Parliament election"3.
The most significant change is the removal of a blanket prohibition on polluting heating systems in individual homes. The government said: "In response to concerns about affordability and fairness, the Bill will not prohibit the use of polluting heating systems in individual homes or buildings"1. Instead, it will set a national target to decarbonise all buildings by 2045 and place a duty on Ministers to publish a strategy1. The original consultation had proposed prohibiting polluting heating after 2045, requiring homeowners to meet a minimum energy efficiency standard by 2033, and private landlords by 20281.
The consultation analysis found two thirds (67%) of those who answered supported the prohibition proposal, with 46% strongly supporting it, while 25% strongly opposed2. On minimum standards for private landlords by 2028, 58% supported and 36% opposed2. For owner-occupied homes by 2033, 59% supported and 36% opposed2. The government said the Bill will introduce powers to set minimum energy performance standards for buildings with polluting heating in future regulations, targeted at owner-occupied and non-domestic buildings, with similar standards for rented homes taken forward separately1.
"The views gathered through the consultation have played a vital role in shaping the draft Buildings (Heating and Energy Performance) and Heat Networks (Scotland) Bill, which I intend to introduce as early as possible in the next Parliament, subject to the outcome of the 2026 Scottish Parliament election."
The government also confirmed regulations for a new EPC rating system, redesigned certificates and strengthened quality assurance for assessors, planned to come into force in October 20261. A separate consultation on a Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard for the domestic private rented sector ran from 6 June to 29 August 2025, proposing that all properties reach EPC Heat Retention Rating Band C before being let, with new lets from 2028 and all lets from 20331.
| Proposal | Consultation position | Government response |
|---|---|---|
| Polluting heating ban | Prohibit in all buildings after 2045 | No prohibition in individual homes; national 2045 target instead |
| Owner-occupied standard | Meet minimum standard by 2033 | Powers for future regulations, targeted at owner-occupied homes |
| Private rented standard | Meet minimum standard by 2028 | Taken forward separately under existing powers |
| Heat network connection | Require connection when available | New powers to require connection or decarbonisation in zones |
Why it matters for households
The removal of a blanket prohibition means individual homes will not face a legal ban on polluting heating systems. The shift to a national target and ministerial strategy places the immediate obligation on government rather than householders. However, the Bill still proposes powers to set minimum energy performance standards in future regulations, which could affect owner-occupied homes with polluting heating. The government has said these would allow for exemptions and alternative compliance routes1. For homes in heat network zones, new powers could require connection or decarbonisation1. The consultation analysis noted concerns about affordability, particularly for low-income households, rural communities and hard-to-treat buildings1. Fuel poverty rates for private tenants were 44% in 2022, according to the analysis2.
What happens next
The Heat in Buildings Bill will not be introduced in this parliamentary session3. The Cabinet Secretary intends to introduce it in the next Parliament, subject to the 2026 Scottish Parliament election outcome3. The draft Buildings (Heating and Energy Performance) and Heat Networks (Scotland) Bill and accompanying Explanatory Notes were published on 18 November 20253. Regulations for the new EPC rating system are planned to come into force in October 20261. The Scottish Government said it continues to press the UK Government to rebalance gas and electricity prices1.
Sources3 cited
- [Proposals for a Heat in Buildings Bill: Consultation
- Scottish Government consultations
- Citizen Space](https://consult.gov.scot/energy-and-climate-change-directorate/proposals-for-a-heat-in-buildings-bill), consult.gov.scot
- 4. The Heat in Buildings Standard - Delivering net zero for Scotland's buildings - Heat in Buildings Bill: consultation analysis - gov.scot, gov.scot
- Letter from Cab Sec for Housing to LGHP - Heat in Buildings - Government consultation response and report - 29 January 2026, parliament.scot