Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government has developed a monitoring and evaluation framework to guide our examination of the impacts and outcomes of the new Private Residential Tenancy. This will compliment work to consider specific issues for joint tenants who experience domestic abuse as set out in PQ answer S5W-29931 on 26 June 2020.

All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx

The Scottish Government is aware of reported difficulties faced by domestic abuse victims who wish to exit a joint tenancy under the Private Housing (Tenancies)(Scotland) Act 2016. We are engaging with the working group looking at preventing homelessness for women and children experiencing domestic abuse, which is co-chaired by Scottish Women’s Aid, to explore this issue further and what measures might be necessary to support those in these circumstances.

Private sector tenants who are victims of domestic abuse should seek advice and support from appropriate advice agencies on their options for exiting a joint tenancy. There are provisions in the Matrimonial Homes (Family Protection) Scotland Act 1981 and the Civil Partnership Act 2004 on applying to the court for exclusion orders and for transfers of tenancies. The Scottish Women’s Rights Centre has published guidance on exclusion orders: https://www.scottishwomensrightscentre.org.uk/news/covid-19coronavirus-info/exclusion-orders-what-are-they-and-how-can-they-help-if-im-experiencing-abuse-at-home/

The Scottish Women’s Rights Centre also provides free and confidential legal advice with a Freephone number 08088 010 789, or the Scottish Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline on 0800 027 1234.

In these unprecedented times, the safety and well-being of women and children who are at risk of experiencing violence during the coronavirus (COVID-19) is paramount. We have therefore, provided additional funding of £1.35 million to Scottish Women’s Aid, as part of the Scottish Government’s Communities Fund of £350 million.

Activities permitted under the various phases of the route map for exiting Covid 19 are kept constantly under review. This will be in line with maintaining physical distancing and suppressing the spread of the coronavirus. In addition, due to the impact of coronavirus, all driving tests in the UK have ceased until further notice, with the exception of emergency tests for critical workers. The timing of the resumption of driving tests is reserved to the UK Government, but any resumption of tests would have to be in line with the Scottish route map out of lockdown.

Passenger rights in relation to aviation are covered by European Regulations which, in the UK, are overseen by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). The following link to the CAA web site provides full information on passenger rights:

https://www.caa.co.uk/Passengers/Resolving-travel-problems/Delays-cancellations/Your-rights/Your-rights-when-you-fly/

Although the regulation of consumer protection is the responsibility of the UK Government, under the Scotland Act 2016 the Scottish Government has taken on responsibility for consumer advice and advocacy. The Scottish Government funds a consumer service that provides clear, practical advice on all consumer issues.

People in this situation may therefore wish to contact Advice Direct Scotland. They are available at https://www.consumeradvice.scot/ and also on 0808 164 6000. They are able to give specific consumer advice to anyone affected by the current situation caused by Covid-19.

The Competition and Markets Authority has issued guidance to businesses and consumers about refunds. It provides information based on current consumer protection legislation and can be found on their web site at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cma-to-investigate-concerns-about-cancellation-policies-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-pandemic/the-coronavirus-covid-19-pandemic-consumer-contracts-cancellation-and-refunds

The Scottish Government fully recognises the value to our visitor economy of the holiday and caravan park sector and continues to engage with it through the relevant industry associations, including the British Holiday & Home Parks Association (BH&HPA).

On 10 June, the Scottish Government announced its proposals for a provisional timeframe of the week of 15 July for the opening of the tourism and hospitality sector, including caravan park owners, in line with Phase 3 of the Route-map. This reopening is conditional on the scientific and public health evidence supporting the move at the time. The BH&HPA have played a part in its development, as well as developing their own, sector specific guidance that will align to the wider guidance.

To aid the sector and its customers, the Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning and the Chief Planner jointly wrote to local authorities allowing for and encouraging temporary relaxations in planning measures and to apply discretion in granting licenses, including the closed periods for holiday parks.

The Scottish Government has continued to engage with the dairy sector in Scotland including the NFUS, Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board and Dairy UK, throughout the Covid 19 period. Whilst we recognise that the sector has been impacted, it is clear from these discussions and market data that Scotland continues to be less affected than other parts of the UK. The Scottish Government has provided a financial contribution to the joint AHDB and Dairy UK marketing campaign to increase milk consumption throughout the UK, and we continue to engage with the industry and monitor the market data to determine if any further support will be required for the sector.

The statutory redress scheme for survivors of historical abuse in care is in development and has not opened for applications. Eligibility criteria have not been finalised and as such no advice has been, or could be, offered to survivors on what these will be.

No applications for the Advance Payments Scheme have been turned down because of a lack of evidence.

In both schemes, applicants will be given support to access the information required. All relevant and available information and records will be taken into account. Assessments of eligibility will not rest simply on records available from organisations running care establishments or residential schools.

As the national online service for learners, Glow is subject to rigorous assessment of the balance of benefits and risks. Education Scotland are acutely aware of the dangers of the online world and Glow seeks to provide all learners with a safer environment in which to develop their digital skills. This will help them to learn how to navigate and manage the online world which will be such a vital part of their future learning, work and social lives.

The circumstances in which we are now living and working are not normal and we are adapting and adjusting to those. Children and young people have transitioned to learning from home and they are often working in an environment that is not as controlled as their school network. Recognising this, Education Scotland have implemented increased monitoring and expedited planned security enhancements to reduce the overall risk that the COVID 19 crisis poses to the Glow environment.

In addition, guidance has been produced in collaboration by Education Scotland and National Parent Forum Scotland to support parents/carers in creating a safer online environment for learning at home.

Education Scotland continue to work with local authorities to ensure parents are more fully informed and will continue to monitor the Glow environment to ensure the appropriate level of benefit and risk is maintained.

The Scottish Government fully acknowledges the critical role that coaches play in supporting tourism, whether directly providing holidays, or taking passengers from cruise ships to visitor attractions.

We have engaged directly with the industry through the Confederation of Passenger Transport UK, to both discuss its concerns and direct the sector to appropriate support.

This includes assistance through our £2.3 billion package of measures to support Scottish businesses during this difficult time, including access where applicable to business grants and through the Pivotal Enterprise Resilience Fund.

We also continue to press the UK Government on the need to assist our tourism sector, and have specifically raised the needs of the coach industry to them, underlining the vital support that they provide.

The Confederation is also part of the Scottish Tourism Alliance (STA), who represent the tourism industry on the Scottish Government's Scottish Tourism Emergency Response Group. Through this, coach interests have been taken into account in the delivery of the National Action Plan developed to respond to impacts on the sector.