Chamber and committees

Discussions are linked to the Executive's work on the proposed telephone debtline. CoSLA is represented on the debtline project team and discussions will continue as the pilot project develops.

The extent of current provision by local authorities and the housing association movement has been established. We now intend to bring deliverers and providers together to discuss the best way to widen the availability of low cost insurance with rent schemes.

The Executive's pilot debtline in Fife will test out the provision of debt advice over the telephone. The debtline will be additional to, and complement, debt advice that is currently delivered face to face.

The NHS in Lothian and various Edinburgh-based voluntary organisations have conducted a number of exploratory research projects and analyses of the health needs of the homeless population.This year, the Lothian RSI partnership received around £1 million to improve health care services for rough sleepers. This will provide additional health workers, not just in Edinburgh but also in East and West Lothian; enhanced services, upgraded medical equipment and it will fund two research projects.Lothian has also taken advantage of new Personal Medical Services arrangements for GPs. The Edinburgh Homeless Practice has three salaried GPs and a dedicated primary care team for homeless people. Independent research carried out on The Edinburgh Homeless Practice recently, as part of its Personal Medical Services pilot, praised the service provided to homeless people, and the approach taken by staff.Our National Health, the Health Plan for Scotland, recognises the need for the NHS to respond effectively to the needs of homeless people and rough sleepers as a key element in tackling health inequalities. The Executive is continuing to act to ensure that the health needs of rough sleepers are addressed effectively. This will include issuing guidance to health boards and Trusts on addressing the health and health care needs of homeless people.

All tenants of local authorities without a central heating system will be able to access funds over the course of the five-year funding programme. Tenants of those local authorities considering whole-stock transfer will also receive central heating either from the Executive or the acquiring landlord and are therefore not disadvantaged.

Local authorities currently have the power under section 2(1)(c) of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987 to acquire housing by leasing. This could include renting or leasing vacant domestic property to assist in ending homelessness.

Owners of vacant domestic properties who wish to lease their property to assist in ending homelessness can approach local authorities who currently have the power under section 2(1)(c) of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987 to acquire such housing by leasing.

Mortgage rescue provides support to homeowners in mortgage difficulties and can help families to remain in their homes and avoid the negative effects of repossession. We are aware of a number of mortgage rescue schemes operating in Scotland with support from some of the major lenders. By building on their experience, we are keen to consider the merits of a national mortgage rescue or mortgage to rent scheme to extend the availability of such support throughout Scotland. We are working closely with lenders, housing associations and Scottish Homes in considering the detail of a possible national scheme and I hope to make further announcements in the coming months.

Funds earmarked for the Empty Homes Initiative in this coming financial year have already been allocated to local authorities and there is currently no scope to reallocate these funds. However, we will be monitoring progress during the year.In terms of making funding available to tackle homelessness we have increased the funding for the Rough Sleepers Initiative (RSI) for the five years from 1997-2002 to £42 million. In addition to this, over the next three years we have backed the legislative proposals on homelessness with £27 million and made a further £12.5 million available to decommission Glasgow's large hostels.

The New Housing Partnerships budget for 2000-01 amounts to £114.5 million. In addition, £25.3 million has been carried forward from last year. This reflects slippage in councils' expenditure on approved projects, largely resulting from their commitment to full consultation with tenants. On the basis of indications from councils, it is expected that approximately £70 million will be spent in this financial year. The arrangements for carry forward of resources into next year will be announced in due course.