Net Zero secretary Mairi McAllan has refused to say if the delayed update to Scotland’s climate change plan will be published before November this year – despite being told by experts that it should be brought forward “urgently”.

The Climate Change Committee (CCC) had insisted the updated plan – which was due to be published late in 2023 – should be brought forward as soon possible, saying without it Scotland had “no comprehensive delivery strategy for meeting future emissions targets”.

The independent advisory body made the plea as it latest report concluded it was now “beyond credible” that Scotland’s target to reduce emissions by 75% by 2030 would be met.

Challenging Ms McAllan on this at Holyrood, Conservative MSP Maurice Golden insisted: “The Scottish Government is to blame for this.”

The Tory added: “The CCC has warned the decision to delay the next climate change plan leaves a significant period without sufficient action or policies to reach the 2030 target.

“That’s a problem the Scottish Government has inflicted upon itself and Scotland.”

Want to see more SNP fails? – Health Matters