Seòmar agus comataidhean

The Deputy First Minister’s previous answer has led to my question, which is about what will happen next. He has set out this morning, and previously in writing, the Government’s obligation to lay the regulations. What is the Government’s position on the proposals? Is it satisfied with all of them? What would its proposed course of action be if the Parliament chose to reject some, or all, of the Scottish statutory instruments? What would be the potential timetable for revised proposals, and would it align with a wider review of mainland local authorities?

I have a broad question on net zero for the witnesses. What are their views on the adequacy of the Scottish Government’s plan to achieve the net zero carbon emissions target?

I also have a more specific question. As we are looking at targets to remove carbon emissions from heating systems by 2025, what certainty does the sector have? Some of the sites that have been identified for purchase and development as we edge into 2022 will need to have plans for zero-emission heating systems now.

I direct that question to Nicola Barclay first.

Thank you, cabinet secretary—I appreciate that answer.

Will you set out the level of work that is going on to develop a data set? One of the big frustrations when it comes to policy on the private rented sector in particular is about the data on things such as rent level increases and length of tenancies. What work is being done to establish a comprehensive data set that is regularly updated to inform that policy work?

Finally, on the issue of affordability, there does not seem to be an agreed definition across all sectors of housing as to what an affordable home is. What work is being done to get an agreed definition of an affordable home?

I draw members’ attention to my entry in the register of interests, as I am an owner of rental property in the North Lanarkshire Council area.

Cabinet secretary, are you able to give a flavour of what might be included in the new rented sector strategy consultation and indicate a timetable for when we might see legislation in Parliament?

There does not seem to be much tension between ring-fenced support and local discretion, given that COSLA, local government leaders and trade union representatives have called for Government intervention on this issue. Does the cabinet secretary understand the feelings of local government staff when they see public pay policy being disregarded to give national health service staff a welcome but more generous settlement, and when they see the Government intervening in negotiations with teaching staff? Does she understand why local government staff are on the brink of industrial action, which could have an impact on our schools and public spaces, which have already undergone severe disruption? Will the Scottish Government consider providing additional support to councils and getting involved in the negotiations to reach a conclusion that will mean that local government staff feel as valued as the cabinet secretary set out in her opening statement and we avoid the disruption to schools and other services that we have experienced in the past year and a half?

We have touched on this issue already and Elma Murray covered it in her opening statement, but I want to ask about how the pandemic has had a greater impact on certain communities and sections of society. Elma Murray talked about women and minority ethnic communities, but are there any other sections of society or communities that the pandemic has also had a greater impact on? What evidence do you see of local authorities directing funding resources to support such areas in particular, rather than the funding going to the areas or communities that shout the loudest?

I draw members’ attention to my entry in the register of members’ interests, and declare that I am an owner and landlord of a property in the North Lanarkshire Council area.