Ministear airson Cumhachd,lomairt agusTurasachd Minister for Energy, Enterprise and Tourism FearghasEwing BPA

Fergus Ewing MSP

FIT:0845 7741741
E: scottish.ministers@scotland.gsLgov.uk

The Scottish Government

Riaghaltas na h-Alba

Ms Kezia Dugdale MSP The Scottish Parliament EDINBURGH EH991SP

Ur faidhle!Your ref: GC-21/09/11 Ar faidhle/Our ref: 2011/1019230

-z.oU-. October 2011

Thank you for your letter of 21 September 2011 to John Swinney MSP about the Scottish Energy and Resource Efficiency Service (SERES). As this matter lies within my portfolio, I would like to take this opportunity to respond. As set out in our Energy Efficiency Action Plan and Low Carbon Economic Strategy, the Scottish Government is committed to simplifying the landscape for.energy and resource efficiency advice to business, particularly for our many SMEs who have limited time and resources to devote to tackling resource efficiency. We have therefore established a single Scottish Energy and Resource Efficiency Service (SERES) for business, bringing together key delivery bodies (including Carbon Trust, Energy Saving Trust, Zero Waste Scotland and SEPA), our enterprise agencies and Business Gateway. Telephone advice and site visits are already provided through, for example the Energy Saving Trust and Zero Waste Scotland to small businesses. The new service will provide greater cross-referral and more consistent and comprehensive advice, encouraging businesses to consider taking action on energy and wider resource efficiency at the same time. This holistic approach to low carbon transition ultimately aims to help more businesses to reduce their emissions, save money and increase their competitiveness.

Taigh Naomh Anndrais, Rathad Regent, Dun Eideann EH1 3DG St Andrew's House, Regent Road, Edinburgh EH1 3DG www.scotland.gov.uk

The virtual SERES service will go live in the next few months through a new portal on the Business Gateway website, demonstrating how the effective use of existing mechanisms can support better service integration and simplification. The project partners are also working towards the delivery of more jointly hosted events, cross-training of staff and a wider review of Business Gateway energy and resource efficiency content. I hope you find this letter helpful.

Taigh Naomh Anndrais, Rathad Regent. Dun Eideann EHl 3DG St Andrew's House, Regent Road, Edinburgh EH13DG www.scotland.gov.uk