- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Friday, 06 November 2020
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Current Status:
Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 18 November 2020
To ask the Scottish Government how much funding it has allocated to improve the energy efficiency of (a) business buildings, (b) local authority buildings, excluding housing, (c) social housing and (d) domestic housing in each of the last five years.
Answer
The Scottish Government funds both heating and insulation measures as part of our energy efficiency programmes (e.g. as an integral part of Home Energy Scotland advice services). Measures are tailored to reflect the needs and circumstances of the household and property benefitting from the improvement funded or financed by the Scottish Government. Funding totals will therefore include spending on zero or low carbon heating systems as well as insulation. Where sub-totals for type of measures funded and sector were specified, funding can be broken down by sector as follows:
(a) Business Buildings - Via SME Loan Scheme
Financial year | Value of loans paid (£) |
2015-16 | £1,289,009 |
2016-17 | £910,486 |
2017-18 | £1,850,520 |
2018-19 | £2,662,054 |
2019-20 | £2,286,498 |
Total | £8,998,567 |
(b) Loans to local authorities through Salix Finance :
Year | Number | Value (£) |
2015-16 | 30 | £2,445,394 |
2016-17 | 58 | £5,372,606 |
2017-18 | 90 | £5,646,158 |
2018-19 | 59 | £6,790,785 |
2019-20 | 86 | £8,965,149 |
Total | 323 | £29,220,091 |
(c) social housing through HEEPS Loans Scheme for RSLs
Financial year | Value of loans paid (£) |
2016-17 | £3,833,986 |
2017-18 | £2,165,104 |
2018-19 | £1,676,641 |
2019-20 | £1,408,910 |
Total | £7,816,622 |
(d) domestic housing
Year | 2015-16 | 16-17 | 17-18 | 18-19 | 19-20 | Total |
| | (£m) | (£m) | (£m) | (£m) | (£m) | (£m) |
HEEPS: Area Based Schemes | 65.0 | 40.0 | 47.0 | 49.0 | 55.0 | 256.0 |
HEEPS: Energy Assistance Scheme | 16.0 | | | | | 16.0 |
HEEPS: Cashback | 15.1 | | | | | 15.1 |
HEEPS: Warmer Homes Scotland | | 19.0 | 19.0 | 24.0 | 26.0 | 88.0 |
SEEP | | 10.0 | 7.0 | | | 17.0 |
HEEPS: Loans (FTs) | 14.0 | 24.0 | 31.0 | 31.0 | 40.0 | 140.0 |
Advice & Support | 9.0 | 10.3 | 10.1 | 12.3 | 13.6 | 55.3 |
Total | 119.1 | 103.3 | 114.1 | 116.3 | 134.6 | 587.4 |
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 04 November 2020
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Current Status:
Answered by Roseanna Cunningham on 18 November 2020
To ask the Scottish Government how many tonnes of textile waste were (a) generated and (b) recycled in Scotland in (i) 2017, (ii) 2018, (iii) 2019 and (iv) 2020.
Answer
The following table shows the textiles waste generated, prepared for reuse and recycled in Scotland from household waste from 2017 to 2019. The remaining textile waste is managed through incineration or landfill.
Household waste data is the most robust data available. Data for 2020 is not yet available, the latest household waste statistics are from 2019 and can be accessed here: https://www.sepa.org.uk/environment/waste/waste-data/waste-data-
reporting/household-waste-data/
Data on textile waste generated includes textile waste separately collected, while the textiles waste managed (prepared for reuse, and recycled) also includes textiles that are collected as mixed waste and subsequently sorted. The data does not include textiles that remain in the residual waste stream, nor textiles that are reused through the charity and reuse sectors.
Textiles waste generated, prepared for reuse and recycled in Scotland from household waste from 2017 to 2019 |
| | Generated (tonnes) | Prepared for reuse (tonnes) | Recycled (tonnes) |
2017 | 9,735 | 2,686 | 8,009 |
2018 | 9,268 | 3,397 | 6,613 |
2019 | 9,146 | 2,876 | 6,978 |
Source: SEPA Household Waste Statistics
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 10 November 2020
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Current Status:
Answered by Christina McKelvie on 17 November 2020
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the impact of the restrictions on social gatherings, what its position is on developing and running a campaign that promotes alternative ways for people to stay connected.
Answer
The Scottish Government is aware that the ongoing restrictions are impacting on social gatherings, and that people are keen to see family and friends. We are working hard to balance the need to keep people safe and control the virus, whilst recognising that people are worried and that many will be feeling lonely.
We are continuing activity with the Clear Your Head campaign which will help and support positive mental health amongst the general population. Furthermore, on St Andrews Day on 30 November, we will be encouraging people to get in touch with others remotely, as an act of kindness to mark our national day. In usual times, Scots around the world would be celebrating Scotland’s culture of food, music and dancing, but this year we will be asking people to consider how they can instead use the opportunity to focus on sharing and kindness – but on their doorstep.
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Monday, 16 November 2020
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 17 November 2020
To ask the Scottish Government how it will reduce the amount of waste that it exports, in light of reports that 1.7 million tonnes left the country in 2018, including almost all plastics, for recycling.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 17 November 2020
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 04 November 2020
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Current Status:
Answered by Humza Yousaf on 16 November 2020
To ask the Scottish Government how it currently supports individuals leaving prison who need emergency housing.
Answer
In Scotland, local authorities have a legal duty to offer a minimum of advice, assistance and temporary accommodation to all homeless households and those at risk of homelessness, this includes people leaving prison.
Local authorities continue to implement the Sustainable Housing Upon Release for Everyone (SHORE) standards as a part of a pre-liberation process in order to minimise as far as possible instances of emergency homelessness upon liberation.
We are working closely with the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), Criminal Justice Scotland, COSLA, ALACHO and local authorities to review the SHORE Standards, particularly in light of the COVID pandemic and to ensure SHORE continues to be embedded consistently across Scotland.
The SPS has data sharing arrangements in place with all 32 Councils in Scotland which ensures that Social Work and Housing are notified of individuals entering and being liberated from prison to their local communities. Liberation information is provided 12 weeks in advance to enable local authorities to take the necessary steps to prevent homelessness on release.
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Friday, 06 November 2020
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Current Status:
Answered by Kevin Stewart on 12 November 2020
To ask the Scottish Government how many applications for support through the Warmer Homes Scotland scheme have been received in each of the last five years, broken down by eligibility criteria, and how many (a) have been approved, (b) have been rejected and (c) are awaiting a decision.
Answer
The following table shows the number of referrals made to Warmer Homes Scotland and a) the number of installs completed, b) the number of applications that were cancelled and c) the number of applications currently being processed that are either waiting for a survey or have agreed to an installation under the Warmer Homes Scotland Scheme for the last five years.
Scheme Year | 2015-16 | 2016-17 | 2017-18 | 2018-19 | 2019-20 | 2020-21 (to date) |
Referrals received from HES | 4,071 | 8,939 | 6,799 | 5,728 | 5,598 | 2,929 |
Completed installations | 1,372 | 5,354 | 4,903 | 3,818 | 3,607 | 1,273 |
Cancelled applications | 1,402 | 2,612 | 2,260 | 1,901 | 1,616 | 612 |
Customers waiting/booked survey | - | - | - | - | - | 756* |
Customers that have agreed to an installation | - | - | - | - | - | 1,441* |
*The current year is unique given the impact of COVID-19 on customers and the related process changes (e.g. DocuSign process for Offer Letters). With that in mind, it is important to draw out the following:
- Of the 756 customers awaiting survey, 557 of them have a survey booked. Of the remaining customers in that number, 38 of them are on hold for a COVID related reason, for example they are shielding or self isolating
- Of the 1,441 customers who have agreed to an installation, we have 91 on hold for a COVID related reason and a further 238 who have still to return either eligibility proofs or their Offer Letter (DocuSign) .
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Friday, 06 November 2020
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Current Status:
Answered by Kevin Stewart on 10 November 2020
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to reintroduce the Energy Efficiency (Domestic Private Rented Property) (Scotland) Regulations, and when it expects these will come into force.
Answer
On 11 March, Parliament approved the affirmative Energy Efficiency (Domestic Private Rented Property) (Scotland) Regulations 2020, which were due to come into force on 1 April, prohibiting the letting of properties with new tenancies that fall below the minimum energy efficiency standards from 1 October 2020. On
25 March it was agreed to stop these Regulations coming in to force on 1 April 2020 as a direct result of the impact of Covid-19, with a commitment made at that time to reintroduce once conditions under the pandemic allowed.
As we emerge from the pandemic, these Regulations will now be brought back as quickly as possible, and within this parliamentary session. The Regulations are planned to come in to force on 1 April 2021, with any new tenancies let from that date requiring to meet an energy efficiency standard of EPC D, or hold a valid exemption. All properties will be required to meet this standard of EPC D by 31 March 2025.
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Monday, 09 November 2020
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 10 November 2020
To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to improve the mental health support available to police officers and staff, in light of the service reporting increasing numbers of absences.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 10 November 2020
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Monday, 19 October 2020
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Current Status:
Answered by Kevin Stewart on 4 November 2020
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the development of its fuel poverty strategy, and when it expects to be able to publish a final version.
Answer
Work on the development of the Fuel Poverty Strategy was paused earlier in the year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Planning is now underway to establish the timing and process to develop the final strategy, which we have committed to publishing, through the Programme for Government, in 2021.
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Monday, 26 October 2020
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 27 October 2020
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish details of organisations with whom Test and Protect data can be shared, and for what purposes.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 27 October 2020
