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Is there anything that local government could do?

Sherina, is there anything you want to add?

I thank the panellists for joining us this afternoon. I have asked previous panels this question, although I have slightly amended it. Could the Scottish Government take further measures to support councils and landlords to assist tenants through the cost of living crisis?

The plan is to suspend the rent cap. Do you agree with that?

Thank you. Can you provide more detail on how the Scottish Government intends to monitor and review the impact of the short-term lets licensing regime, with a particular focus on residential amenity, housing markets and the tourist economy?

Do you have any comments on the impact of legislation on student tenancies? Do you agree with the Scottish Government’s plans to suspend the rent cap on such tenancies? I will go first to Sarah-Jane Laing.

I have a final question. As we are pushed for time, I will ask it quickly, and I hope that your response will be quick. Do any of the witnesses have any comments about the impact of the legislation on student tenancies? Do you agree with the Scottish Government’s plan to suspend the rent cap for those tenancies?

I put that question to any of the witnesses. You might not be able to answer it; if not, just say.

I share your concerns on that.

I have just one further comment. The Scottish Government has acknowledged that many pressures on council budgets are beyond its control. We have mentioned inflation, fuel costs and Covid-19 recovery. One council in my area has highlighted the pain of the public-private partnerships that have now saddled it with debt for more than 60 years. Do you have any indication of a Scotland-wide cost for those schemes? How much do they cost the Scottish Government in grant support to councils? If you do not have figures today, can you write to the committee with them, as that would be helpful?

Thank you.

Staying on the issue of flexibility, councils in my constituency—East Dunbartonshire Council and West Dunbartonshire Council—indicated that they are considering a range of budget cuts. Like many members, I am concerned about the proposals, and I want councils to get the best support from the budget settlement and maximum flexibility. I know that we have touched on this, but can you assure the committee that the Scottish Government will consider requests from councils for maximum flexibility in how they apply budget allocations from the Government, and that discussions will continue with COSLA on the scale and scope of the settlement?