Questions and answers

Question reference: S5W-24279

Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 09 July 2019
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 5 August 2019

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the publication of its Homelessness in Scotland: 2018 to 2019 statistics on 26 June 2019, what action it is taking to address the increase in the average length of time a household spends in temporary accommodation, from 175 to 180 days in the last year.

While temporary accommodation provides an important safety net in emergency situations, we want the time anyone has to spend there to be as short as possible. That is why we have agreed jointly with COSLA to support local authorities to transition to a system of rapid rehousing and Housing First by default, ensuring that people facing homelessness are supported back to a settled home that meets their needs as soon as possible.

When temporary accommodation is needed, it is important that it is of good quality which is why we will introduce standards for temporary accommodation and extend the seven day restriction on time spent in unsuitable temporary accommodation to all people experiencing homelessness.

We are working with all 32 Local Authorities through their Rapid Rehousing Transition Plans which set out how each local authority intends to implement and transition to a rapid rehousing and Housing First approach to reduce the amount of temporary accommodation being used and the length of stay in there. Implementation of these plans began in April 2019 and the Scottish Government has made £24m available to support implementation over the next 3 years.

Question reference: S5W-24286

Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 09 July 2019
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 5 August 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to all five pathfinder housing first pilots reportedly being behind in meeting their June 2019 targets.

Scottish Government officials are working closely with Housing First Scotland Pathfinder Programme partners as the steady development of Housing First in the five Pathfinder areas continues.

At end of June, 93 people had moved in to a tenancy, with a higher number currently being assessed and allocated to support, against a guideline target of 143.

How quickly Housing First can be up-scaled is one of the key questions this Programme seeks to answer. This means identifying barriers, finding solutions, sharing learning and setting the pace. It is expected that the overall ambition will be met which is the goal of the local authorities, support services, RSLs and other partners involved in the project.

Question reference: S5W-24281

Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 09 July 2019
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 5 August 2019

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the publication of its Homelessness in Scotland: 2018 to 2019 statistics on 26 June 2019, what its response is to an increase in the number of instances that households were not provided with temporary accommodation.

On 25 June, I met with officials of Glasgow City Council to discuss the increased numbers recorded in Glasgow as failing to be offered temporary accommodation. It was agreed at the meeting to establish a team, led by Scottish Government, to complete a voluntary review into the reasons behind this data. Final details, including timescales, are currently being developed by Scottish Government in partnership with Glasgow City Council officials. A first meeting is planned for 2nd August.

Question reference: S5W-24285

Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 09 July 2019
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 5 August 2019

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the publication of its Homelessness in Scotland: 2018 to 2019 statistics on 26 June 2019, for what reason the number of households not offered temporary accommodation in 2018-19 has risen by 10% nationally.

The increase in the number of households not offered temporary accommodation at a Scotland level is largely due to an increase of cases in Glasgow.

I met with Glasgow City Council on 25 June and agreed with them that a voluntary review will now be led by SG in partnership with the Council to tackle this issue. The review will consider practice in both Glasgow City Council and all other Local Authorities.

Question reference: S5W-24278

Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 09 July 2019
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 5 August 2019

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the publication of its Homelessness in Scotland: 2018 to 2019 statistics on 26 June 2019, what action it is taking to address the 2% increase in households containing children in temporary accommodation since 2017-18.

While temporary accommodation provides an important safety net in emergency situations, we want the time anyone has to spend there to be as short as possible. That is why we have agreed jointly with COSLA to support local authorities to transition to a system of rapid rehousing and Housing First by default, ensuring that people facing homelessness are supported back to a settled home that meets their needs as soon as possible.

When temporary accommodation is needed, it is important that it is of good quality which is why in 2017 we legislated via the Unsuitable Accommodation Order to reduce the time that families and pregnant woman stay in unsuitable accommodation from 14 to 7 days therefore providing extra support for families and children.

We are working with all 32 Local Authorities through their Rapid Rehousing Transition Plans which set out how each local authority intends to implement and transition to a rapid rehousing and Housing First approach to reduce the amount of temporary accommodation being used and the length of stay in there. Implementation of these plans began in April 2019 and the Scottish Government has made £24m available to support implementation over the next 3 years.

We have also undertaken in-depth analysis on the reasons behind increases in the number of children staying in temporary accommodation which showed variations across local authority areas. A key element of the Rapid Rehousing Transition Plan is an assessment of the local housing market and as part of that, each local authority should consider the accommodation they have available to house families with children.

Question reference: S5W-24283

Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 09 July 2019
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 5 August 2019

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the publication of its Homelessness in Scotland: 2018 to 2019 statistics on 26 June 2019, what its response is to the increase in homeless applicants who are care leavers, and what the reasons are for this increase.

While the number of homelessness applications from applicants formerly looked after by the Local Authority in Scotland has decreased by 45% over the last 10 years (2008-2009 to 2018-2019), the 4% increase in the most recent statistics published on 26 June is disappointing.

We are not sure of the reasons for the increase in recent applications. It therefore serves as a reminder why tackling and preventing homelessness is a key priority for the Scottish Government. Our Ending Homelessness Together Action Plan, published in November, includes our commitment to developing a pathway to prevent homelessness for people with experience of care.

As part of this work we will look to understand the reasons for the increase in recent applications by working with CELCIS to develop an improved pathway to prevent homelessness for people with experience of care. We expect this work to complete by the end of the year.

Question reference: S5W-24230

Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 04 July 2019
Current Status: Answered by Jamie Hepburn on 26 July 2019

To ask the Scottish Government how many aviation engineering apprentices will be required in the next 10 years, and what programmes are in place to ensure that there are enough.

The aeronautical sector is also represented on the Engineering Skills Leadership Group and the Aerospace, Defence, Marine and Security Industry Leadership Group. To ensure they continue to meet demand and skills needs of employers, the economy and apprentices, apprenticeships are reviewed on a regular basis, with employers, employer groups, trade bodies, training providers, trade unions and other stakeholders involved in the development and review processes.

Currently there are Engineering frameworks with pathways in Aeronautical Engineering for both Foundation and Modern Apprentices. Additionally the Engineering Design and Manufacturing Graduate Apprenticeship is closely aligned to the sector, and can be tailored to suit the requirements of employers and apprentices who work in Aeronautical Engineering.

To address future needs a proposition for workforce upskilling within Advanced Manufacturing is currently being developed for the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS), which will enable upskilling and future proofing for the Aviation Engineering sub-sector. Furthermore there is engagement with the Aviation Skills Partnership on their Aviation Skills Plan for Scotland, with input on Engineering Skills, including a work-based learning provision.

Question reference: S5O-03381

Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 05 June 2019
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 13 June 2019

To ask the Scottish Government under what circumstances it would consider using the provisions in the Referendums (Scotland) Bill.

Question reference: S5O-03310

Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 May 2019
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 30 May 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has carried out of the impact on older people of intergenerational projects.

Question reference: S5W-22988

Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 03 May 2019
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 16 May 2019

To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the revised code of conduct for property factors.

Scottish Ministers have a duty under the Property Factors (Scotland) Act 2011 (the Act) to prepare, from time to time, a code of conduct setting out minimum standards of practice for registered property factors. The Code was introduced in October 2012 and is currently under review.

The Scottish Government has consulted on proposals to strengthen the Code and sought views on the impact the Act has had on improving the regulation of property factors. The findings of the consultation are published at: https://consult.gov.scot/housing-regeneration-and-welfare/code-of-conduct-for-registered-property-factors/ .

Work to finalise the revised Code will take place over the course of 2019 and will be informed by the consultation responses. Regulations setting out the revised Code and the date they will come into force will be laid in Parliament later this year.

Chamber and committees