Chamber and committees

Good morning. I want to focus on woodlands. Is the wording in policy 34 on trees, woodland and forestry sufficiently clear and directive to guide development in a way that is sensitive to existing woodlands? Do you have any examples of the “additional public benefits” that are mentioned in policy 34(c) that would justify the removal of woodlands?

What efforts have been made to improve the data on asylum seekers, refugees and people with no recourse to public funds? I direct that question first to Susan Aitken and then to Pat Togher.

Okay. I was not trying to tease out large numbers but rather asking if that data was available. I have no further questions on that theme.

I will group a couple of questions together to save time. There is obviously still progress to be made on recording statistics. What benefit would there be from more accurate data on asylum seekers, refugees and people with no recourse to public funds? Are there any figures available on the number of European Economic Area nationals who have no recourse to public funds? Do we have any statistics on how many people who have claimed asylum do not have access to housing support? I will put that question to Pat Togher.

There were two further questions. Are there any figures available on the number of European Economic Area nationals who have no recourse to public funds? Do we have any statistics on how many people who have claimed asylum do not have access to housing support?

I asked whether there are concerns that people who should be accessing the scheme cannot do so because the referral requirements mean that they cannot independently refer themselves. I am not sure whether you picked up on that or whether anybody else wants to come in.

My first question is directed to Alistair Dinnie and Councillor Aitken, but, if anybody else wants to come in, please let me know. Can you advise how local authorities are supporting Afghan families who have already arrived and how they are preparing to support Afghan families in the future?

You have answered my second question, which was going to be about issues between the bridging hotels and the permanent accommodation. I will pass back to the convener.

Thank you, that is helpful.

Apologies. I thought that one of my colleagues was coming in next.

I have a further question, which I will direct to Andrew Morrison. The Scottish Refugee Council has criticised the limitations of the Afghan citizen resettlement scheme and the fact that the UK Government is counting refugees who are already here within the 20,000-person limit. What are your views on eligibility for the scheme? Is there not a real risk that people who should access it will not be able to do so because they cannot apply independently, as a result of the referral requirements? In the light of that, are the numbers that the UK Government is aiming for high enough, or could we take more people than the 20,000 limit?