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One of the reasons that I chose to stay in was to change the culture. Talat, could you respond to the same question?

I want to go back to John Kerr. You said that you support the eviction moratorium. Are there circumstances in which an eviction should be allowed? If there are, what are they?

Thanks. I asked what the impact would be on landlords of an eviction moratorium. Do you want to add more to that?

I direct my final question to John Blackwood. What is the likely impact of an eviction moratorium on landlords? Do you have evidence on eviction moratoriums from anywhere that would be of interest to the committee?

Good morning. Most of my questions have been covered, so I will further explore the conversations that you have had with the social housing sector since the announcement of emergency legislation. Do you have anything to add?

Good morning, witnesses. It is great to see you all. I will cover the eviction moratorium. I pose my first question to our witnesses from Living Rent and Crisis. To what extent is the proposed eviction moratorium needed to protect tenants from the current cost crisis?

Thank you—it is very much a challenge.

In evidence, the Association of Local Authority Chief Housing Officers emphasised the need to listen to existing tenants before determining priorities. How did the Scottish Government consider the needs and priorities of existing tenants when setting its affordable housing supply targets?

Thanks. I have no further questions.

Good morning, cabinet secretary. Thank you for giving some time to the committee this morning.

Some witnesses have highlighted the challenge of investing in important aims, such as decarbonising existing stock, as well as in developing new homes, without compromising the affordability for tenants.

You announced that you are introducing emergency legislation to freeze rents, which has been welcomed, not least by the Scottish Housing Regulator, which highlighted that a survey of the national panel of tenants showed that

“7 in 10 were concerned about future affordability of their rent”.

You will also be aware that yesterday, the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations said that the freeze will impact the ability to meet targets for building homes and decarbonisation.

What assessment has the Scottish Government made of the impact that a freeze on social sector rents might have on social landlords’ affordable housing development plans? Will it mean a need for increased subsidies to minimise the risk to the delivery of the target?