The Scottish Government takes getting best value for money from public spend seriously, and we recognise the need to meet our climate commitments. That includes spending the limited public money available for that purpose most effectively to achieve our targets.

Fergus Ewing has raised valid concerns about the value-for-money aspects of that particular investment: I have to say that I share those concerns very much. The project was intended to increase understanding of the technology and processes around deep retrofitting of historic buildings. As such, it will not be replicated, but the lessons that have been learned should support cost-effective delivery of future projects. The member can rest assured that any future projects will be rigorously assessed to ensure that public money is used most effectively to deliver the Government’s objectives, taking into account strict value-for-money criteria.