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  • The Scottish government has confirmed that wood-burning stoves, bioenergy and peat heating will be permitted in new homes and buildings.

  • Orkney based Jamie Halcro Johnston, the Scottish Conservative deputy rural affairs spokesperson, had led a campaign to overturn a proposed ban on wood-burning stoves in new-build homes, noting that such stoves were useful in rural and off-grid areas, especially during extended power cuts.

  • The Fair Isle ferry project is not yet fully approved. The Shetland Islands Council is working on the full business case, with that to be considered first by the council and then by the UK government before a final decision is taken.

  • In the debate on fuel poverty lead by Alistair Carmichael in Westminster Hall in the House of Commons, Mr Carmichael asked for an update on government action over fuel poverty, including on the planned shutdown of radio teleswitch services, the renewal of the Warm Homes Discount and consideration of a geographic tariff for the Highlands and Islands.

  • Replying for the government, the parliamentary under-secretary of state for energy security and net zero, Michael Shanks, did not respond to the question of an islands tariff but he confirmed that the government was looking at how to strengthen the regulator, Ofgem, to hold energy companies to account.

  • After the debate in the Scottish Parliament on the impact of Brexit on Scotland's rural economy, Emma Roddick, member for the Highlands and Islands, urged the UK government to engage with the Scottish government to implement a Rural Visa Pilot Scheme in Scotland.

  • The Noble Corporation has announced that its semi-submersible drill platform Ocean Endeavor has been awarded additional work by UK Shell in the Penguins field, about 80 nautical miles north-east of Unst.

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