Questions and answers

Question reference: S6O-04047

Asked by: Sandesh Gulhane, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 21 November 2024
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 28 November 2024

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body whether it will give consideration to expanding the Parliament's medical equipment.

Question reference: S6O-04027

Asked by: Sandesh Gulhane, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 20 November 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 28 November 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will commit to redrafting its Disability Equality Plan, in light of the reported criticisms from the organisations that were asked to be involved in its co-production.

Question reference: S6W-31279

Asked by: Sandesh Gulhane, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 15 November 2024
Current Status: Answer expected on 2 December 2024

To ask the Scottish Government when the Cladding Assurance Register, provided for in the Housing (Cladding Remediation) (Scotland) Act 2024, will be established.

Question reference: S6W-31278

Asked by: Sandesh Gulhane, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 15 November 2024
Current Status: Answer expected on 2 December 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether the Cladding Assurance Register will be publicly accessible.

Question reference: S6W-30684

Asked by: Sandesh Gulhane, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 16 October 2024
Current Status: Answered by Paul McLennan on 14 November 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the complexity of the cladding remediation process for those involved, and what steps it has taken to expedite the delivery of remediation works.

We have made significant progress in the last few months, including the passage of the Housing (Cladding Remediation) Scotland Bill and publication of the technical specification for the Single Building Assessment (SBA).

We will publish the SBA Standards this month which will set out the basis for assessment, remediation, compliance, and assurance in Scotland and commence the Act in January 2024. Combined with the technical specification this allows Developers to conduct SBAs on buildings they have responsibility for.

The Scottish Government has received the report for a Single Building Assessment (SBA) based on the specification published on 21 June 2024 for one of the pilot entries. An invitation to tender has been issued to undertake SBAs based on the specification published on 21 June 2024 for a further twelve of the pilot entries.

These numbers relate to known works on a pilot entry only, as developers or other organisations could have carried out works without informing the Scottish Government, and therefore the true numbers may be higher and could increase as further information becomes available.

We have also begun engagement with linked developers to agree the hand-over of pilot phase buildings where there is draft Single Building Assessments for them to proceed with refreshed SBA assessments which will set the standard for design and remediation.

Full remediation of a building is a complex process encompassing, assessment, design, remediation, and assurance, with physical completion of work dependent on the entirety of any remediation design and the commercial capacity to undertake such work.

We are aware that there are potentially a larger number of buildings in Scotland affected by cladding beyond those in the pilot phase.

We are continuing to take steps to improve our understanding of the number and nature of these buildings (for example, whether they fall within the scope of the Cladding Remediation Act) and will collaborate with relevant authorities in considering the action required.

For many such buildings, taking forward assessment and any remediation required will be a matter for the relevant developer or other responsible body.

We recognise the need to better understand the complexities faced by owners and residents in the cladding remediation process. Our intent is to engage directly with these groups to gain insight into the challenges they experience during the assessment and remediation process. By doing so, we aim to ensure that their lived experiences inform our approach, helping us to identify the barriers they face and work towards more effective and timely solutions. This engagement will be crucial in helping us address the full scope of issues involved and ensuring that remediation efforts are responsive to the needs of those most affected.

Question reference: S6W-30682

Asked by: Sandesh Gulhane, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 16 October 2024
Current Status: Answered by Paul McLennan on 14 November 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether there is a target timescale for the completion of cladding remediation works (a) at the 107 pilot entries in the pilot of the Cladding Remediation Programme and (b) on all residential properties affected by dangerous cladding.

The Scottish Government has received the report for a Single Building Assessment (SBA) based on the specification published on 21 June 2024 for one of the pilot entries. An invitation to tender has been issued to undertake SBAs based on the specification published on 21 June 2024 for a further twelve of the pilot entries.

Pilot works to mitigate or remediate risks have started for five of the pilot entries. Works in this context refers to any action taken to address known cladding-related risks, including Urgent Interim Measures. These numbers relate to known works on a pilot entry only, as developers or other organisations could have carried out works without informing the Scottish Government, and therefore the true numbers may be higher and could increase as further information becomes available.

Works to remediate risks have not been completed for any of the pilot entries. Although work on the external wall cladding system has been carried out on one building, a Single Building Assessment carried out to the standard to be specified by Scottish Ministers under section 32 of the Housing (Cladding Remediation)(Scotland) Act 2024 is required to ensure that all works required have been identified and completed ahead of being designated as complete.

We are aware that there are potentially a larger number of buildings in Scotland affected by cladding beyond those in the pilot phase. Full remediation of a building is a complex process encompassing, assessment, design, remediation, and assurance, with physical completion of work dependent on the entirety of any remediation design and the commercial capacity to undertake such work.

We are continuing to take steps to improve our understanding of the number and nature of these buildings (for example, whether they fall within the scope of the Cladding Remediation Act) and will collaborate with relevant authorities in considering the action required.

For many such buildings, taking forward assessment and any remediation required will be a matter for the relevant developer or other responsible body.

Question reference: S6W-30683

Asked by: Sandesh Gulhane, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 16 October 2024
Current Status: Answered by Paul McLennan on 14 November 2024

To ask the Scottish Government, of the 29 Glasgow entries in the pilot phase of the Cladding Remediation Programme, how many entries have had (a) Single Building Assessments carried out, (b) works started to mitigate or remediate risks and (c) remediation works fully completed.

The Scottish Government has received the report for a Single Building Assessment (SBA) based on the specification published on 21 June 2024 for one of the pilot entries in Glasgow.

An invitation to tender has been issued to undertake SBAs based on the specification published on 21 June 2024 for a further twelve of the pilot entries. Seven of which are in Glasgow and that are SG led. It is expected that these SBAs will be completed by the end of February 2025.

Pilot works to mitigate or remediate risks have started for five of the pilot entries. Four of which are in Glasgow. Works in this context refers to any action taken to address known cladding-related risks, including Urgent Interim Measures.

These numbers relate to known works on a pilot entry only, as developers or other organisations could have carried out works without informing the Scottish Government, and therefore the true numbers may be higher and could increase as further information becomes available.

Works to remediate risks have not been completed following recommendations within SBA Reports for any of the SG led pilot entries.

Question reference: S6W-30685

Asked by: Sandesh Gulhane, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 16 October 2024
Current Status: Answered by Paul McLennan on 14 November 2024

To ask the Scottish Government, in addition to the 29 Glasgow entries in the pilot phase of the Cladding Remediation Programme, how many further properties it anticipates will be identified as having unsafe cladding in Glasgow, and, if this data is not yet available, what efforts it has made to determine the number of affected properties.

We have made significant progress in the last few months, including the passage of the Housing (Cladding Remediation) Scotland Bill and publication of the technical specification for the Single Building Assessment (SBA).

We will publish the SBA Standards this month which will set out the basis for assessment, remediation, compliance, and assurance in Scotland and commence the Act in January 2024.

We are aware that there are potentially a larger number of buildings in Scotland affected by cladding beyond those in the pilot phase.

We are continuing to take steps to improve our understanding of the number and nature of these buildings (for example, whether they fall within the scope of the Cladding Remediation Act) and will collaborate with relevant authorities in considering the action required.

For many such buildings, taking forward assessment and any remediation required will be a matter for the relevant developer or other responsible body.

Question reference: S6W-31140

Asked by: Sandesh Gulhane, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 11 November 2024
Current Status: Answer expected on 25 November 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to introducing Hindi as a national qualification modern language, in light of Scotland’s Census 2022 reportedly showing that Indians are the second largest immigrant population in Scotland.

Question reference: S6W-30444

Asked by: Sandesh Gulhane, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 07 October 2024
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 4 November 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it expects that its National Care Service proposals will lead to benefits in social care outcomes beyond those that would have been delivered by the existing social care structure and, if so, what (a) these benefits might be and (b) evidence it has used to determine this.

The Independent Review of Adult Social Care recommendations, consultation and co-design with thousands of people who receive or provide social care have told us change is needed in how social care and support in delivered. We are working with people to design a system that best fits the needs of the communities it serves.

The National Care Service will improve participation and empower people who use and deliver care services, to have a say in how social care is developed and delivered. The NCS will also promote transparency of both performance and investment in social care. The NCS Board will improve the scrutiny of local services, allow intervention at earlier stages to identify good practice, and target efforts on areas where there are emerging issues.

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