First Minister Humza Yousaf's official Edinburgh residence does not meet Scottish Government's own energy rating

The First Minister’s official residence does not meet the Scottish Government’s looming targets for energy efficiency, it has emerged.

Bute House, the Georgian townhouse in Edinburgh where Humza Yousaf officially resides, has an energy performance certificate (EPC) rating of D.

The Scottish Government will require all homeowners to get an EPC rating of C or higher by 2025 “where technically and legally feasible and cost-effective”.

Currently, 42% of these homes were rated C or better.

It wants all residential properties to fall under the C band by 2033.

The rating of Bute House was confirmed by deputy first minister Shona Robison in a written parliamentary answer to Tory MSP Jamie Greene.

A separate answer confirmed that 11 out of the 17 buildings owned by the Scottish Government core buildings have an EPC rating lower than C.

Thainstone Court in Inverurie was the only one to achieve a B rating while the Governor’s House and SASA buildings in Edinburgh both received a G rating.

A property that has a higher energy efficiency rating will typically spend less money on electricity and gas than one with a higher rating.

This makes the building cheaper and more environmentally friendly.

Scottish Conservative 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.

“Instead of leading the way on net zero, the nationalists are lagging behind and hoping no one will notice.”

The Scottish Government has been approached for comment.