The Scottish Government is to pass new laws forcing developers to include sprinklers in all new social homes, during the lifetime of the current parliament.

Housing minister Kevin Stewart made the pledge after an opposition backbencher, David Stewart, Labour MSP for the Highlands and Islands, gained cross-party support for the proposal. The new requirement will be included in a bill to be prepared alongside two reviews of building standards and fire safety, in time for it to be passed before the next Scottish elections in 2021.

This will extend fire safety legislation north of the border, as new private and social residential buildings higher than 18 metres are already required by law to have automatic fire suppression systems fitted to them in Scotland.