Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston has led a debate in the Scottish Parliament this evening on reversing the Scottish Government's damaging ban on wood-burning stoves, highlighting their vital importance to rural communities.
In his Member’s Debate, the Scottish Conservative MSP and Convenor of Holyrood’s Cross Party Group on Islands, called on ministers to suspend new regulations, introduced less than 2 months ago, until the review announced yesterday can be completed.
Speaking after his debate, Mr Halcro Johnston said:
“The SNP’s ban on wood-burning stoves has exposed just how little the Scottish Government understands or cares about the needs of Scotland’s rural and island communities.
“While it is welcome that - under pressure from the Scottish Conservatives, industry and local communities - a review has been announced, a review is not the same as a reversal of the ban and that is what is needed.
“New rural homes are already being planned and built without wood-burners, leaving families less resilient in the face of bad weather and power cuts. And the industry, which employs over 2,000 people, has been clear that sales are down and jobs are now threatened.
“The minister has confirmed that any review will not start before Parliament breaks for the summer recess, meaning it could be months before it concludes. And that could mean that any action – if taken - may not happen until next year.
“Given that the review may take months to be concluded, and that there is serious economic damage being done now, the Scottish Government should end the uncertainty and suspend the regulations relating to the ban on wood-burning stove ban until the review is completed”.
ENDS
Notes to editor
Jamie Halcro Johnston MSP’s Members’ Business Debate on the Importance of Wood-burning Stoves and Other Direct Emission Heating to Homes in Rural and Island Communities can be viewed here: https://www.scottishparliament.tv/meeting/members-business-s6m-12917-jamie-halcro-johnston-importance-of-wood-burning-stoves-and-other-direct-emission-heating-to-homes-in-rural-and-island-communities-may-29-2024
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