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I had previously asked about how small and medium-sized enterprise developers were going to be treated, and talked about the turnover thresholds that exist at UK level and the exemptions that are in place there. Minister, you spoke about treating developers almost on a case-by-case basis. Has any consideration been given to particular developers that have high exposure given the size of their business? Are there any concerns about the liabilities putting developers out of business? What discussions have you had about putting in place a similar scheme to support SMEs and for developers that might be swamped and put out of business by the measures?

In a previous evidence session, Professor Gill and Professor Mullen talked about the lack of national data in areas relating to the complaints system. Generally, what data should be available to assist Parliament in scrutinising the effectiveness of the complaints system? More specifically, is anyone responsible for collecting statistics on the total number of complaints that are received by public bodies and not just the ones that are escalated to the SPSO? Do we have any idea of the proportions of those that are escalated and not escalated? Should we collect that information?

Thank you.

I am hoping to abuse my position as a committee member and ask a broader question on building safety. I visited a group of residents in Bathgate and they showed me the extent of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete in their properties. They gave me a really fantastic warm welcome, and they would be more than happy to extend such a welcome to the minister if he can talk to them about the issues of RAAC.

The issues that they raised about RAAC are really similar to the issues that we are talking about with regard to cladding. They are to do with access to finance, access to insurance, access to skills to assess properties and potentially replace RAAC, difficulty with selling properties, and communication from local and national Government. Is the minister in a position to update the committee or Parliament on RAAC issues that are affecting residents, as he has committed to do—and has done—on cladding?

Minister, is the cladding assurance register operational? If it is not operational, will you outline progress to date? When might it be available?

My other question is on SPSO performance indicators. A previous witness told us that the indicators

“appear to be rather limited and narrow in scope”,

with few or no indicators relating to quality and customer satisfaction. Another concern was that previous customer satisfaction surveys were stopped because they were unfavourable to the SPSO. What is your response to those witnesses’ comments?

I received a submission from Crisis, which argues that the reluctance of some private landlords to let to tenants on benefits stems from the complexity of the benefits system. Do you agree with the Crisis submission? Is there anything that the Government can do to support landlords to be able to navigate the benefits system more effectively and take away that block on letting to tenants who are on benefits?

My other question is about the Scottish safer buildings accord. When will agreement be reached with developers on that? Is there a date? Is there anything outstanding on it that needs to be resolved?

I have a question for James Calder and a broader question for the whole panel.

James, your submission highlights issues to do with the adequacy of the regulator’s role in relation to Gypsy Travellers. You touched on that in your response to the convener’s question, but I want to give you the chance to say more about it, if you would like to, and about how the situation could be improved.

I have a broader question. Can any of the witnesses highlight any positive experiences that they are aware of where the regulator’s work or engagement with a social landlord has ended up benefiting tenants or service users? I will start with Shona Gorman.