A shared policy programme drafted by the parties includes plans to deliver 110,000 affordable homes by 2032 and to invest at least £1.8 billion over this parliamentary session in energy efficiency and renewable heating.

Welcoming the draft cooperation deal, Elizabeth Leighton, director of the Existing Homes Alliance, said: “There is a lot in this deal that could result in people living in warmer, healthier homes more quickly. By investing in improving the energy efficiency of our homes and reducing the need for fossil fuel heating, we have an opportunity to cut greenhouse gas emissions and tackle fuel poverty, whilst also supporting the creation of thousands of jobs all over Scotland.”

The policy programme that accompanied the draft deal included a number of new commitments on energy efficiency and heat decarbonisation including:

• A large majority of homes should achieve a good level of energy efficiency by 2030 (equivalent of EPC Band C), and all homes meeting at least this standard no later than 2033;
• There will be no need to install new or replacement fossil fuel boilers in off gas grid areas from 2025 and on gas areas from 2030;
• This will be supported by an immediate increase in the cash-back available to home and building owners on measures to improve the efficiency of buildings and install zero emission heating, and this will be replaced with a grant scheme in 2022/23;
• Increased support for low carbon heat in government programmes and immediate ending public subsidy for oil and LPG boilers;
• Additional support for rural and island communities which require bespoke and targeted advice.

Ms Leighton added: “The policy programme pushes forward on some of the key issues that the Alliance has been calling for - we are particularly pleased to see the additional financial support for householders wanting to switch to cosy homes and clean, green heat and the goal for the majority of homes to be highly energy efficient by 2030 – a goal that is well within our reach.

“But while we welcome these new commitments, the extra £200 million over five years falls well short of what is needed if we are to grasp the opportunity to transform our homes and build a green economy. With less than 10 weeks until COP26 in Glasgow, now is the time to be showing what can be done.”