Chamber and committees

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-07562 on‎ 19 April 2022. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers .

As of 31 March 2022, 3,890 properties in Perth and Kinross, and 3,801 properties in Fife, remain eligible for the main voucher worth up to £5,000 through the R100 Scottish Broadband Voucher Scheme component of the R100 programme.

As of 31 March 2022, the interim voucher portion of the R100 Scottish Broadband Voucher Scheme is now closed. The main voucher worth up to £5,000 remains open for those who are not planned to benefit from build through R100 contracts or commercial coverage.

No requests for a voucher through the R100 Scottish Broadband Voucher Scheme (SBVS) for eligible premises have been declined.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-07532 on 19 April 2022. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers

Work to progress early milestones set out within Housing to 2040 for improving the quality of all homes is currently underway. We intend to consult on proposals for a new Housing Standard later this year, and plan to launch a formal consultation on proposals for updating the Housing for Varying Needs design guide later this spring. Work on the review of the adaptations system is also underway and is expected to conclude later in the current financial year, with work to develop a joint housing, health and social care accountability and outcomes framework scheduled to start later this year.

Across the whole UK, median annual pay for employees was £25,891 for the tax year ending 5 April 2021.

In the current tax year, someone earning that much would pay £2,662 in the rest of the UK, but £2,647 in Scotland.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-07557 on 19 April 2022. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers

While the Scottish Government collects data on the number of children living in unsuitable accommodation, it does not ask for returns from local authorities on any wellbeing assessments undertaken. This information would have to be requested directly from local authorities.

We are aware of a number of support assessments undertaken by local authorities as part of their housing assessment to record people’s needs. It is important, as part of this process and alongside the support provided to households experiencing homelessness, that the specific needs of children in the household are identified and met and their rights upheld.

On 21 February 2022, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advised that a Spring booster dose be offered in Scotland for the following groups.

• adults aged 75 years and over;
• residents in care homes for older adults;
• individuals aged 12 years and over who are immunosuppressed.

The spring booster dose will usually be offered around 6 months after the last dose of the coronavirus vaccine. Some people may be invited sooner than this (but at least 3 months should have passed since their last dose) to help protect them against any increase in coronavirus infections.

NHS Scotland are contacting those eligible to arrange appointments.

More information on this can be found at Coronavirus (COVID-19) booster vaccination | The coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine (nhsinform.scot).