Questions and answers

Question reference: S5W-24280

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 if its Homelessness in Scotland: 2018 to 2019 statistics, how it is engaging with the City of Edinburgh Council given that it accounts for 69% of breaches of the Unsuitable Accommodation Order in 2018-19.

Following the publication of our biannual homelessness statistics in January I wrote to City of Edinburgh Council about their breaches of the Order and subsequently met with them to discuss the circumstances around the breaches and the plans they have in place to ensure that unsuitable accommodation is not used going forward. I have written again to them following the publication of the full year statistics and requested a further meeting to discuss the progress they have made and explore what further they can do to ensure breaches do not occur again.

We launched a consultation on improving Temporary Accommodation Standards on 22 May which seeks views on extending the Unsuitable Accommodation Order to all homeless households. The consultation asks questions on whether sanctions should be introduced when local authorities breach the order.

Question reference: S5W-24282

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 veterans, and what the reasons are for this increase.

While over the last 10 years (2008-2009 to 2018-2019), there has been a 49% decrease in homelessness applications made by people formerly in the armed services, the 8 % increase in the most recent statistics published on the 26 th of 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, will transform how those at risk of homelessness receive help, this includes our commitment to developing a pathway to prevent homelessness for people with experience of the armed services.

As part of this work we will look to understand the reasons for the increase in recent applications by working with the Armed Forces community, while developing a prevention pathway for people with experience of the armed forces. We expect this work to complete next year.

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-24284

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 leaving a violent/abusive household.

While the number of homelessness applications from people leaving previous accommodation due to violent or abusive dispute within the household has decreased by 26% over the last 10 years (2008-2009 to 2018-2019), the 3% increase in the most recent statistics published on the 26 th of June is disappointing.

We want to prevent homelessness as a result of a violent or abusive dispute within the household. Our Ending Homelessness Together Action Plan, published in November, includes our commitment to developing a pathway to prevent homelessness for survivors of domestic abuse. We are working with third sector partners to help us understand the reasons for the recent increase in applications and to scope the pathway. Work will complete next 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.

Question reference: S5O-03251

Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 08 May 2019
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 16 May 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what analysis the housing minister has undertaken of whether complaints against property factors and letting agents are being effectively resolved through the First-tier Tribunal for Scotland Housing and Property Chamber.

Question reference: S5O-03190

Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 01 May 2019
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 8 May 2019

To ask the Scottish Government how it assists older people to stay in their homes for as long as possible.

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