Chamber and committees

Does anyone else want to come in on that point, or are you in also in the dark on software systems?

Is it your understanding that the same software providers will provide systems across the UK, so that the systems are compatible? We are not necessarily talking about different providers being chosen separately. I ask that question because I know from a former life on the Health and Sport Committee that different national health service boards chose different IT systems, which meant that they could not communicate, which is why health IT in Scotland is so bad.

On a wider issue with the Scottish digital strategy, on which you have all touched, are any local authorities likely to do something different, given the different contracts that we have discussed and how those sometimes stretch into other parts of our local government IT systems? Will the strategy resolve the issue and provide for a single system that allows communication not only with Government, but among local authorities?

That is helpful. I hope that, given the pressures on planning departments and in relation to access to planning specialists, there might be an opportunity for councils to share decision making and to share people who are in high demand for planning. There might be opportunities, there.

Thank you.

I am happy enough with the instrument, but I am a bit concerned about the lack of data on which councils it would apply to. I wonder whether we could request that data and, indeed, look to gather it in the future, given that, with the suspension of the Scottish Government’s supersponsor scheme, councils might be facing a higher burden as a result of council tax not being collected.

Before I hand back to the convener, it is worth my while to put on the record that, last week, we passed the Scottish Social Housing Charter: November 2022, in looking at how tenants’ situation could be improved. The bill will, obviously, bypass that for associations and councils, so that work to give tenants that voice is now being put to one side.

Good morning, and thank you for joining us. We have heard everyone talk about unintended consequences of the bill. Is there any international example of a rent freeze that has not resulted in fewer private lets, a slump in the building of affordable homes, increases in future rents and more homelessness? I will start with Rhiannon Sims.

I know that Ireland, which has put in place a similar scheme, has had a 30 per cent increase in homelessness. Does anyone else on the panel want to come in on consequences that they are aware of in different countries?

I have a very short final question. With regard to the 0 per cent cap, which is what is being proposed initially, the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations suggested that on average the increase across your members was likely to be 3.2 per cent. In the future, when the cap is lifted by the Government, what level of increase will you expect for your members, to recoup what will be a significant hit on finances for providing day-to-day running of the organisation, repairs and future 10-year plans around affordable housing developments? I start with Aaron Hill, because I specifically mentioned your organisation.