Chamber and committees

Self-directed Support (SDS) is Scotland’s mainstream approach to social care. Under the Social Care (Self-directed Support) (Scotland) Act 2013 , all people in Scotland who are assessed as being in need of social care support have a right to choice, control and flexibility to meet their personal outcomes.

SDS is therefore not something that is applied for or denied. Local Authorities are required to ensure that people are offered a range of choices on how they receive their social care support.

Self-directed Support can be provided using one of four different options. Public Health Scotland statistics from 2018-19 indicate that 102,805 people in Scotland were involved in choosing and controlling their support through one of more of the self-directed support options.

The information requested by Mr Briggs MSP is readily available on the SSSC website, and a detailed breakdown by local authority can be obtained directly from the official source.

Every year in August, the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) publishes the ‘Scottish Social Service Sector: Report on 2020 Workforce Data’. This year's edition was the 10th set of official statistics. Official figures, therefore, only go back to 2011.

According to the most recent data, published in August this year, as of December 2020, there were 6,049 social workers employed in local authorities, the highest number recorded, representing a 1.5% increase since the previous year, 2019, or a 6% increase since 2011.

The purpose of the Ministerial Group will be to oversee at a strategic level implementation of the actions set out in Cleaner Air for Scotland 2(CAFS 2) and the accompanying delivery plan. The transport section of CAFS 2 sets out current Scottish Government transport policy as it relates to air quality.

The most recently available projections, published in 2020, suggest that Scotland will be fully compliant with the nitrogen dioxide limit values by 2023. Compliance projections are calculated based on a combination of data from the UK wide air quality monitoring network operated jointly by the four UK Governments, and modelling using the UK Pollution Climate Mapping models.

The Minister for Transport will have oversight of Cleaner Air for Scotland 2 actions which are within his portfolio responsibilities.

The previous Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Economy and Fair Work met with the local authority culture conveners on 2 March 2021. This was the second meeting since the Culture Strategy was published. Scottish Government officials are working with COSLA to organise a further meeting soon.

To raise awareness of the new Fire and Smoke Alarm regulations coming into force in February 2022, the Scottish Government’s extensive marketing campaign began on 19 August with a TV advert supported by ongoing radio and digital coverage.

Information leaflets are also available in libraries throughout the country. The leaflet provides information about the types of alarms such as battery operated and mains wired which can be used and the necessary kite marks they must carry in order to meet the legislation requirements. A factsheet is also available on the Scottish Government website - https://www.gov.scot/publications/fire-and-smoke-alarms-in-scottish-homes/ . Our information leaflets - it explains that mains wired alarms should be installed by a qualified electrician and that battery operated alarms can be installed by the homeowner.

Home owners are responsible for the costs of on-going work needed to protect and preserve their own property, which includes the costs for the fire alarms to meet the new standard. We have provided £0.5 million additional funding for Care and Repair Scotland to provide help installing alarms for older and disabled homeowners on low incomes. We have also provided £1 million to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to provide alarms for owners who are considered most vulnerable to the risk of fire. Local authorities also have broad discretionary powers to provide advice and support to owners.

Following the marketing campaign, and as the fitting of the new alarms in people’s homes progresses ahead of the standard coming into force, the Scottish Government will be able to provide an update on assistance provided to homeowners.

The Scottish Government has engaged with a wide range of stakeholders to ensure that as many people as possible know about the new fire and smoke alarm regulations ahead of the February 2022 implementation date.

The Scottish Government has made clear its commitment to maintain or exceed EU standards, including air quality limit values, following the UK's departure from the European Union (EU). This commitment includes ensuring that EU environmental principles continue to sit at the heart of environmental policy and law in Scotland.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-01952 on 16 August 2021. 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

All air quality limit and target values that apply under the Ambient Air Quality Directive are currently being met in Scotland, other than nitrogen dioxide. I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-02787 on 23 September 2021 for information on compliance with the nitrogen dioxide limit value.

Domestic air quality objectives set under the Environment Act 1995 and associated regulations are the responsibility of local authorities.

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 .