Social Justice
Good afternoon. The next item of business is portfolio questions on social justice. I remind members who wish to ask a supplementary question to press their request-to-speak buttons during the relevant question.
Temporary Accommodation Standards Framework
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the implementation of its temporary accommodation standards framework, in light of reports that children are living in properties affected by mould, vermin and overcrowding. (S6O-04434)
A new temporary accommodation standards framework, which built on the 2019 advisory standards, was published and shared by the Scottish Government in 2023. Local authorities and social landlords are expected to work towards meeting the framework before it becomes legally enforceable. We need to formally consult on the standards before they can be legally enforced. In the meantime, social housing providers have time to make improvements to their temporary accommodation supply, provide the necessary training for staff and ensure that new procedures are in place to meet the framework.
There is clearly an issue, because the Shelter report was so stark. Does the minister understand what the baseline is? How many properties and how many local authorities are already meeting the standard? If we do not understand what the baseline is, how will we know whether progress has been made?
I am happy to come back to the member on that specific point. We meet local authorities on a regular basis regarding the temporary accommodation framework. As he knows, we have also taken action to try to improve the situation through the funding that we have put towards acquisitions, and we are seeing reductions in voids in most of the areas that are under the most pressure. However, I am happy to come back to the member on that.
Conversion Practices
To ask the Scottish Government whether it can provide an update on the work to end conversion practices in light of the resignation of the United Kingdom Minister for International Development and for Women and Equalities and the inevitable delays that that will bring to the joint work that is required under the chosen four-nations approach.
That is not the question that is in the Business Bulletin, Mr Ruskell.
Apologies, Deputy Presiding Officer. That was a previous edit.
To ask the Scottish Government whether it can provide an update on its work to end conversion practices, including whether it anticipates any delay to its joint work with the United Kingdom Government on this as a result of recent ministerial changes. (S6O-04435)
Conversion practices that seek to change or suppress a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity are harmful and abusive. Both the Scottish and UK Governments have committed to ending harmful conversion practices, and it is right that we explore complementary approaches. That could bring consistency and demonstrate cross-Government and cross-party leadership, and I hope that it sends a clear statement that conversion practices are unacceptable right across the UK. Engagement is on-going, both with ministers and at official level, while we consider the options, but we continue to prepare legislation for introduction to the Scottish Parliament should that be necessary.
I appreciate the sentiment of that response from the cabinet secretary, but the LGBTQ+ community in Scotland feels really let down and frustrated. We have had no new human rights bill, minimal progress on the non-binary action plan, gender recognition reform being blocked at Westminster and slow progress on the misogyny bill, and it now looks as if the proposed law to end conversion practices has stalled in this Parliament.
That inaction sits against a backdrop of rising prejudice, particularly against trans people, both in our society and in this building. For me, the recent debates have marked an absolute low point in the 25-year history of this Parliament.
I urge the cabinet secretary to listen to the LGBTQ+ community and give people the support that they need to live their lives with dignity and respect. Will she ensure that progress is made to end conversion practices by March 2026?
I thank Mark Ruskell for lodging his question, because it gives me an opportunity to once again reaffirm the Scottish Government’s firm commitment to ending conversion practices in Scotland. I think that it would be helpful if my colleague Kaukab Stewart writes to him to update him on the work that is being undertaken on the non-binary action plan and so on.
Work on the proposed bill is absolutely continuing. The situation is complex, and we need to ensure that we take into account the right to practise religion and the right to family life. As we balance that delicate approach, I hope that Mark Ruskell is reassured by my personal commitment, and by the Government’s full commitment, to ending conversion practices in Scotland.
Question 3 is from Graham Simpson, who joins us remotely.
Landlords
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to data from the most recent Scottish landlord register, which shows that the number of landlords has decreased by 2,650 in three years. (S6O-04436)
The published statistics show that, during the past three years, the number of registered landlords decreased by 1.1 per cent—there are 2,655 fewer registered landlords. However, the statistics also show that the number of registered properties increased by 3.3 per cent during that period, which means that 11,047 more registered properties are available to rent. Although the evidence may point to some landlords choosing to leave the sector, that suggests that their properties are remaining in the sector or that new properties are being offered for rent.
It should be noted that there are some limitations to the administrative data from the landlord register, including the time lag when landlords deregister properties that are no longer available to rent. The statistics should therefore be treated with some caution.
I do not know whether the minister is aware of a survey that was done by the Scottish Association of Landlords, in which more than 50 per cent of people who responded said that they plan to cut the size of their portfolios in the next five years, and only 10 per cent said that they are planning any investment in the sector. Part of the reason for that is rent controls. Stage 2 of the Housing (Scotland) Bill is coming up, and the minister knows that I have lodged sensible amendments on exemptions to rent controls. Is he prepared to commit to having sensible exemptions, either in the bill or in regulations?
I thank the member for his question. Scotland needs a thriving private rented sector, by which I mean a sector that offers good-quality affordable housing options and the value that investment in rented property delivers. As he knows, we have had discussions about the consultation that is coming up on exemptions, and I am happy to continue to have those discussions. I have also met the Scottish Association of Landlords about that.
We will continue to have discussions with the member as we develop the bill.
Housing Emergency
To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made in tackling the housing emergency. (S6O-04437)
We are delivering a range of actions in response to the housing emergency. To support rapid action, we have targeted an additional £40 million at the local authorities that face the most sustained homelessness pressures. We have also announced an additional £1 million from this year’s budget to go directly towards sustaining tenancies.
In 2025-26, we will deliver an increased affordable housing supply programme budget of £768 million, along with £4 million in homelessness prevention funding and additional funding to bring more privately owned empty homes back into use.
Recent statistics show the scale of Scotland’s housing emergency under the Scottish National Party. There are 250,000 people waiting for social housing, more children are trapped in temporary accommodation in Edinburgh than in all of Wales and housing starts have started to slow down. With those figures in mind, what are the Scottish Government’s specific outcomes or benchmarks when it comes to ending the housing emergency?
I will highlight some of the actions that we have been taking since the housing emergency was declared. Twelve local authorities are reducing homelessness and 20 local authorities are reducing homelessness in relation to children. There has also been a 55 per cent reduction in the number of void properties in Edinburgh, which is the member’s local authority, a 23 per cent reduction in South Lanarkshire, a 25 per cent reduction in West Lothian, and a 20 per cent reduction in Fife. As I mentioned, there is also a £768 million budget.
This is about a partnership approach, too, and one of the key issues is the local housing allowance, which was referred to in a publication by Crisis. I will be looking for the member’s support for increasing the local housing allowance as part of tackling the housing emergency.
Pensioner Poverty Strategy
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to calls from Independent Age for a pensioner poverty strategy for Scotland. (S6O-04438)
The Scottish Government’s “A Fairer Scotland for Older People: A Framework for Action” contains a dedicated strand focused on activity that we are undertaking to ensure that people are financially secure and supported as they age. Independent Age is a valued member of the older people’s strategic action forum. We engage regularly with the group on actions that we take to support the needs of older people in Scotland.
In addition, we provide funding of £2.2 million, through the equality and human rights fund, to older people’s organisations and age equality projects. That funding is delivering a range of initiatives that tackle poverty among older people.
Despite the framework that the cabinet secretary referred to, one in six pensioners in Scotland are living in poverty, and that number is on the increase. It is little wonder that polling by Independent Age shows that more than 90 per cent of older people back calls for a long-term strategy from the Scottish Government to reduce that poverty.
Will the cabinet secretary give a clear commitment that, when the Government sets out the refreshed “A Fairer Scotland for Older People” framework, it will contain new, comprehensive measures across all Government departments that will increase older people’s incomes and cut their costs? Will it contain a clear commitment to reducing the level of pensioner poverty?
Colin Smyth raises an important point, which is that this involves work right across Government and not just in social justice. I gently say to him that it also involves work right across all Governments. What does not help pensioner poverty is the United Kingdom Government refusing to compensate WASPI women—women against state pension inequality—or taking away winter fuel payments.
Nonetheless, despite those strong headwinds from the UK Government, we are keen to do what we can, within our mainly fixed budget, to support older people. We absolutely appreciate that there is a cost of living crisis for many older people. That is exactly why the Government is committed to free bus travel for everyone aged 60 and over. It is why we have investment in income maximisation support, why we are helping with energy efficiency and heating, and why we are looking at crisis interventions. We will continue that work—it is exceptionally important that we do that.
Another part of the work is around the social tariff, which will help many older people. I hope that the UK Government will take up the recommendations that will come from the working group in due course.
It is astonishing that Labour has the brass neck to talk about rising pensioner poverty after taking away up to £300 a year in winter fuel payments; failing to deliver £300 cuts to household energy bills and presiding over another nearly £300 rise in those bills; and after its betrayal of WASPI women, who are seeking pension justice. Does the cabinet secretary agree that, if Labour is serious about tackling pensioner poverty, it must reverse its cuts to winter fuel payments and honour its manifesto commitments to pensioners?
Mr Gibson raises an important point. Even though the Scottish Government has stepped in and will reinstate a universal winter fuel payment for pensioner households in Scotland, it would still be advantageous if the UK Government did so in the rest of the UK, because that would allow block grant adjustments. We are mitigating many UK measures, and this is a new one.
Mr Gibson is also right to point out the further increase in fuel bills. He points correctly to the fact that it takes all Governments to work to alleviate pensioner poverty. The Scottish Government will do what it can. It will mitigate where it can, but we need the UK Government to do similar things.
Housing to 2040 (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley)
To ask the Scottish Government how the housing to 2040 strategy will aim to benefit Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley. (S6O-04439)
Housing to 2040 is our long-term strategy to ensure that everyone in Scotland has a safe, good-quality and affordable home by 2040. We are also deploying a number of priority actions to respond to the housing emergency. Since April 2016, we have supported the delivery of 920 affordable homes in East Ayrshire, the majority of which are for social rent. In 2024-25, we also made available £9.852 million to support the delivery of affordable housing across East Ayrshire.
The Scottish Government is reviewing East Ayrshire’s recent strategic housing investment plan, which outlines its priorities for new housing investment.
The minister will be well aware of East Ayrshire Council’s good performance on housing during this parliamentary session, which has seen 353 affordable homes being built, 169 of them by the council. Just this week, the Scottish National Party administration there opened 48 such homes in Kilmarnock. Many of those houses are already net zero compliant and are adapted and accessible to fully meet local people’s needs.
Will the minister join me in congratulating East Ayrshire on its impressive record? Is he confident that the investment to be delivered by the Scottish Government through the recent budget will further enhance the housing programme for local people in the period that lies ahead?
I am aware of the social rented housing project in Kilmarnock that Mr Coffey mentioned, which I am delighted to hear has recently been completed. It meets a range of housing needs, and the council is working to deliver much-needed homes in that constituency. The member mentioned the increased budget as part of our investment of £768 million. Local staff will work closely with the local authority on that, and I am confident that we will see other such houses being completed in the near future.
Scotland’s 2032 affordable housing target is at very real risk of being missed. It is clear that we need to do more to consistently increase the number of new homes being built. In East Ayrshire, the number of new builds started last year was fewer than half as many as were started in the year ending September 2023. Does the minister accept that we need to facilitate the building of more homes? Does he also recognise the importance of working with schools, colleges and universities to ensure that the construction sector has the workforce that it needs in that process?
Mr Whittle makes a good point. Skills interaction is very important. There is no doubt that there was an impact when Brexit occurred, because we lost many construction staff across Scotland. I know that work is already happening with schools and colleges in that sector. I am delighted that we will be working with skills agencies to ensure that we grow construction skills and encourage growth across the whole sector.
Affordable Housing (Glasgow)
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the housing secretary has had with ministerial colleagues regarding what work can be done to repurpose empty commercial and other proprieties for affordable housing in Glasgow. (S6O-04440)
In 2025-26, we will invest £2 million to bring more privately owned empty homes in Glasgow back into use. The city has a very good record in that area. The affordable housing supply programme supports the conversion of non-residential property where such projects are considered a strategic priority. Glasgow City Council has supported several conversions of non-residential properties in the city through the programme. To date, those have mostly involved short-term conversions. Only last week, I met the Minister for Employment and Investment to discuss how we can collectively explore the conversion of empty commercial properties as part of our regeneration efforts.
Progress has certainly been good, but so much more could be done. Some recent changes might militate against effective reuse of listed buildings, such as those on empty property relief, administration of which was devolved to Glasgow City Council a couple of years ago. A charge is now being made, without any exemption, on vacant listed buildings. Because that process has been handled in a blanket way it is gumming up the market and preventing restoring purchasers from taking on listed buildings.
I also highlight the opportunity that Lar Housing Trust has identified through its project to restore the Inn on the Green, which is a grade B listed property in Bridgeton. The trust says that it could have the building ready in time for the Commonwealth games next summer, so that it could house 150 athletes before it is first let on the market. It has just been told that the Scottish Government has knocked back its application for further funding. Perhaps the minister could consider that opportunity to be a demonstrator of sustainable reuse of Glasgow’s buildings, as part of the Commonwealth games project.
I am aware of the importance that Glasgow City Council places on commercial properties coming back into use. We have regular discussions on that. I will be happy to consider the member’s point on Lar Housing Trust and come back to him on it.
Will the minister advise Parliament of the continued importance of the Scottish empty homes partnership in ensuring that unoccupied and void properties are brought back into use in the greater Glasgow area and across Scotland?
The success of the Scottish empty homes partnership, which works closely with private home owners, local authorities and third sector partners, was recognised by a 2023 independent audit as delivering value for money, and it has cross-party support. Since 2010, more than 11,000 empty homes have been returned to use, including many across the greater Glasgow area. In 2025-26, we will invest a further £2 million through the partnership to support local authorities in accelerating the pace of that work. Through our working together with private owners and communities, homes are being reoccupied in the places where they are needed most.
Cladding Remediation
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the progress with the cladding remediation programme. (S6O-04441)
On 6 January, I outlined, in my statement in response to a written question, the Government’s strategic priorities for action on cladding this year. Those include: continuing with our current programme of work; increasing the pace and breadth of action on cladding; and developing a national endeavour to collectively address the risks associated with it. We have committed to publishing a plan of action for cladding remediation to set out how and when we will deliver on those priorities. I will make a further statement in Parliament on 25 March, when I will introduce the plan.
Nine months ago, I met the minister’s officials on behalf of my constituents who have faced numerous challenges and delays in the cladding remuneration process. Progress has been painfully slow. The building owners are in debt, their insurance costs are sky high and they cannot sell their properties, but they live in a Grenfell tower-equivalent building, and they are not alone. None of those buildings in Scotland has had works completed and signed off, and that is not including the thousands of people who were not identified in the pilot.
Almost eight years on from the Grenfell tragedy, with almost £100 million to spend, what reassurance can the minister, who is solely responsible, give us that he is demanding that progress is made as quickly as possible? Will he set out a firm timetable in the statement that he alluded to?
We have taken action during that period. The Housing (Cladding Remediation) (Scotland) Act 2024 was passed, which gave us powers to enforce action against developers. It also gave us the ability to act when there was not an agreement between all residents. One of the key points of the act was the single building assessment. We had extensive engagement with developers to make sure that we had agreement on that point.
As I mentioned, I will deliver a statement on 25 March to introduce the plan, and I refer to my points about increasing the breadth and pace of action on the issue. I am happy to engage with Mr Gulhane once I have made the statement.
I have received this letter from a resident in Edinburgh. It is from the Scottish Government, and it says:
“due to issues encountered during the procurement process, the completion and drafting of the refreshed SBA has encountered a delay, as the supplier selected has not been able to deliver as set out in our initial programme. Unfortunately this means that we require further advice to address the issues encountered and to progress with the SBA process.”
Will the minister set out how many properties are affected by that delay and when the issues will be resolved?
I am happy to engage with Mr Rennie on that point. He did not mention the building or the resident, but I am happy to engage with Mr Rennie and the resident on the issue.
That concludes portfolio questions. Before we move to the next item, there will be a brief pause to allow front benches to change.
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