The Scottish Government has committed to invest at least £1.8 billion over the course of this parliament to support energy efficiency and zero emissions heat. Final spending to support households replacing gas boilers with heat pumps over this period will depend on various factors, including the balance of demand between households currently using gas boilers or other heating systems, and support for other technologies such as heat networks.

The following table displays the numbers of applications submitted and approved in each scheme year during the period the New Entrants Start-Up Grant Scheme was open for applications.

There is no formal right to request an appeal under the Rural Payments (Appeals) (Scotland) Regulation 2015 as these do not apply to the rejection of an application for a contract. If applicants query the reason for the rejection of an application then local staff will consider this informally but numbers of these are not recorded. The number of applications recorded as rejected in each Scheme year for the Crofting Agricultural Grant Scheme is provided in the following table for information.

The following table displays the number of applications submitted and approved for the Beef Efficiency Scheme. There was one application window, which was 2016.

There is no formal right to request an appeal under the Rural Payments (Appeals) (Scotland) Regulation 2015 as these do not apply to the rejection of an application for a contract. If applicants query the reason for the rejection of an application then local staff will consider this informally but numbers of these are not recorded. The number of applications recorded as rejected in each Scheme year for the Crofting Agricultural Grant Scheme is provided in the following table for information.

There is no formal right to request an appeal under the Rural Payments (Appeals) (Scotland) Regulation 2015 as these do not apply to the rejection of an application for a contract. If applicants query the reason for the rejection of an application then local staff will consider this informally but numbers of these are not recorded. The number of applications recorded as rejected in each Scheme year for the Crofting Agricultural Grant Scheme is provided in the following table for information.

Information relating to the number of applications to the Crofting Agricultural Grant Scheme, as well as how many were approved and are awaiting a decision are shown in the following table.

The following table displays the number of applications submitted and approved in each scheme year during the period that the Young Farmers Start-Up Grant Scheme was open for applications.

The application process for the Beef Efficiency Scheme was different to other schemes in as much as it was dependent on the applicant being able to meet the simple criteria for the scheme, and businesses having the ability to update the information submitted online, in order to accept a contract.

As with other CAP Schemes, there is no right of appeal where an application for a contract is found ineligible, however the business would have the opportunity to speak to the team dealing with the scheme directly to clarify the process and reasons for no contract being awarded.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-04012 on 11 November 2021. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers