Scotland has officially become the first country in the UK to introduce a legal requirement for swift nesting bricks in new buildings.

This historic move followed the passing of the Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill in the Scottish Parliament on 29 January 2026. The legislation, which received significant cross-party support, aims to provide a lifeline for one of the country's most threatened bird species.

The inclusion of swift bricks—hollow units integrated directly into walls—is considered a simple and cost-effective method to combat the loss of nesting sites. Since the mid-1990s, swift populations in the UK have plummeted by nearly two-thirds, largely due to modern construction methods that eliminate the nooks and crannies where these birds traditionally breed.

The passage of the Bill marks a wider turning point for Scotland’s biodiversity. For the first time, the Scottish Government is now legally required to set binding nature targets to drive the recovery of habitats and species. Key measures in the Bill include:

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• Mandatory Swift Bricks: New requirements for nesting spaces in new dwellings "where reasonably practical and appropriate," subject to a 12-month consultation on building standards.

• Enhanced Wetland Protection: Increased legal safeguards for internationally significant Ramsar Wetlands, including the Flow Country and Loch Lomond.

• Nature Recovery Targets: A statutory framework to halt biodiversity loss by 2030 and achieve full restoration by 2045.

• Deer Management Reforms: New powers to manage deer populations to allow for woodland and peatland regeneration.

Scotland currently ranks among the most nature-depleted countries globally, with the latest State of Nature report indicating that one in nine Scottish species—including red squirrels and puffins—faces extinction.

The RSPB, whose campaigners were instrumental in advocating for the swift brick amendment, has emphasised that while the legislation is a major victory, swift implementation is essential. The Scottish Government has confirmed it will now consult on the specific building regulations required to bring the swift brick mandate into full force.

While Scotland has led the way, similar legislative attempts have recently been rejected in the Senedd in Wales and the House of Lords in England. In Northern Ireland, discussions regarding potential equivalent legislation remain in the early stages.