Bute House doesn’t meet Scottish Government’s own targets for energy efficiency

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Humza Yousaf’s official residence doesn’t meet the Scottish Government’s own targets for energy efficiency, we can reveal. Ministers have been accused of “hypocrisy” after admitting Bute House in Edinburgh has an energy performance certificate (EPC) rating of D.The SNP-Green government is set to require Scots homeowners get an EPC rating of C or higher for their properties from 2025 as part of plans to curb greenhouse gas emissions.Measures planned to achieve this include better home insulation - which it’s hoped will reduce fuel bills - as well as installing green alternatives to gas boilers like heat pumps.

But critics have warned property owners need more Scottish Government support as bills to retrofit their homes could run into the tens of thousands of pounds.In a written parliamentary response to Scottish Conservative politician Jamie Greene, Deputy First Minister Shona Robison confirmed Bute House, the First Minister’s Georgian townhouse residence, has an EPC D rating.

Opposition parties seized on the admission, accusing the Holyrood administration of failing to “set an example” for Scots.Tory MSP Liam Kerr said: “It’s unacceptable that the SNP-Green government hasn’t brought its headquarters up to scratch when it comes to energy efficiency.“They expect all homeowners to start preparing for rules which dictate buildings shouldn’t be rated C or worse, yet Bute House wouldn’t currently meet these standards.

It’s more hypocrisy from a Scottish Government that lectures homes and businesses while sitting on its own hands."Lib Dem climate emergency spokesman Liam McArthur said: “It's not just the First Minister's residence either - figures released last month suggest more than half the Scottish Government estate doesn't