Questions and answers

Question reference: S5W-26361

Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 12 November 2019
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 20 November 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to update its policies on Housing for Varying Needs in order to improve accessibility standards for new residential properties.

The Scottish Government is committed to delivering housing that is fit for purpose now and also for the future. Recent analysis shows that 96% of new build homes delivered by housing associations and councils in 2018-19, where information was returned on Housing for Varying Needs, met that standard. Although still a very good standard, it is now 20 years old and that is why the Scottish Government has committed to reviewing the Housing for Varying Needs design guide. Work has begun on how to take forward this complex piece of work, and we will ensure that stakeholders are involved closely in the process as we move forward.

Question reference: S5W-26362

Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 12 November 2019
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 20 November 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to encourage property owners of all tenures to alter their properties to achieve better accessibility standards.

While new homes in Scotland are the most accessible in the UK, the Scheme of Assistance encourages existing home owners to take more responsibility for the condition of their homes. It also requires local authorities (and now IJBs) to provide assistance to support a wide range of work to meet the needs of disabled people. We also encourage social landlords to take account of accessibility standards when undertaking programmes of refurbishment to existing properties.

We are also developing regulations under section 37 of the Equality Act 2010 that will give disabled people the right to make necessary, reasonable adaptations to common areas. The creation of this right will be a first within the UK.

Question reference: S5W-26357

Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 12 November 2019
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 20 November 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure equity of service, regardless of housing tenure, for people requiring housing adaptations.

As part of integrated health and social care services, Integrated Joint Boards (IJBs) are responsible for the planning and delivery of adaptations. IJBs have been advised to consider the learning points from the independent evaluation of the Adapting for Change pilot when reviewing and making plans to improve the adaptations process. Officials are working with stakeholders to develop practical guidance to ensure that people, regardless of housing tenure, can access adaptation services when required.

We are also developing regulations under section 37 of the Equality Act 2010 that will give disabled people the right to make necessary, reasonable adaptations to common areas. The creation of this right will be a first within the UK.

Question reference: S5W-26360

Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 12 November 2019
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 19 November 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to (a) meet the demand for accessible housing stock and (b) increase the use of accessible housing registers.

Local authorities are responsible for assessing the housing needs in their areas and setting out in their Local Housing Strategies how this will be met. Local Housing Strategy guidance published in September 2019 requires local authorities to set targets for wheelchair accessible housing across all tenures, including reporting annually on progress.

Increasing the supply of more wheelchair accessible housing will provide more choice and flexibility for disabled people and their families and contribute to the creation of a fairer and more equal society. The houses that we build now will support disabled people to access suitable homes in the areas they want to live now and in the future.

Through the Affordable Housing Supply Programme, we provide a range of housing including new build, off the shelf purchases and rehabilitation projects. For new build projects, wherever possible, all affordable homes are built to Housing for Varying Needs standards. And 96% of new build homes delivered by housing associations and councils in 2018-19, where information was returned on Housing for Varying Needs, met that standard.

The Scottish Government fund Glasgow Centre for Inclusive Living to provide Homes2Fit , a national online database and self-help resource to assist disabled people to find suitable housing. It also encourages social housing landlords to take account of local housing need when re-letting adapted properties.

Question reference: S5O-03802

Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 13 November 2019
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 21 November 2019

To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that city region deal projects tackle climate change.

Question reference: S5W-25975

Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 25 October 2019
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 12 November 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to review the effectiveness of the Private Housing (Tenancies) (Scotland) Act 2016.

The Scottish Government have developed a monitoring and evaluation framework to guide our examination of the impacts and outcomes of the new tenancy. The framework includes indicators and baseline figures from existing data sources, and highlights where there will be gaps in knowledge. We are currently exploring options to address these gaps. We are also monitoring, in house, the Private Residential Tenancy eviction cases published by the First Tier Tribunal housing panel. Alongside this, we are working closely with the Nationwide Foundation whose major longitudinal, qualitative and quantitative research project on the impact of the new Private Residential Tenancy on low income tenants is now under way. We will fully consider the outputs, and any key recommendations, which emerge from the Nationwide evaluation project.

Furthermore, during the passage of the Private Housing Tenancies (Scotland) Bill through Parliament, the then Minister for Housing and Welfare – Margaret Burgess MSP – gave a commitment to review the grounds for repossession after the tenancy had been in operation for 5 years.

Question reference: S5W-25608

Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 02 October 2019
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 24 October 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what the (a) total and (b) average cost would be of bringing all (i) urban and (ii) rural (A) owner-occupied and (B) private-rented domestic properties that are considered not to be cost-effective up to an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) band C rating.

Question reference: S5W-25611

Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 02 October 2019
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 24 October 2019

To ask the Scottish Government how it will engage with the public regarding the Energy Efficient Scotland programme to help meet its net-zero carbon targets.

There are a number of ways in which the Government is engaging with the public around Energy Efficient Scotland (EES).

Consultations will play a significant role in gathering public input on the programme. In the past year, consultations have been launched examining public responses to accelerating the timescale of EES and to regulations for the Private Rented Sector.

Before the end of this year we will launch a consultation to invite the public to respond to our proposals on how owner occupier homes can reach EPC C by 2040.

Our wider communications strategy is currently being developed to both interact with the public more effectively and collect valuable input on our proposals. There remains scope throughout Energy Efficient Scotland to engage with further stakeholders, and we hope to be able to create additional visibility for the programme in the future.

Currently, information is available online to the public regarding the schemes and programmes the Government offers –such as Home Energy Efficiency Programmes for Scotland (HEEPS) and Warmer Homes Scotland (WHS).

Question reference: S5W-25607

Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 02 October 2019
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 24 October 2019

To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) owner-occupied and (b) private-rented domestic properties have achieved an increase in their Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating as a result of intervention by (i) area-based energy-efficiency schemes, (ii) Energy Efficiency Scotland pilots, (iii) Warmer Homes Scotland and (iv) the Home Energy Scotland Loan Scheme, also broken down by the EPC band level achieved.

Area based schemes

Details of the total number of energy efficiency measures delivered through Area Based Schemes are published on the Scottish Government website .These are provided for each local authority by year of delivery. We do not currently collect or collate information from councils about pre and post EPC ratings.

Energy Efficient Scotland (EES) Pilots

The transition phase of EES pilots is currently underway and due for completion in March 2020. Evaluation of these projects will be carried out by the University of Edinburgh, with publication planned for spring 2020. This phase aims to help over 1,600 homes install energy efficient measures with a focus on supporting the self-funded market.

Warmer Homes Scotland

The total number of completed properties that achieved a SAP increase in the EPC rating as a result of intervention by Warmer Homes Scotland up to the end of March 2019 was 13,743. This represents a total of 89% of all completed properties.

Post SAP Band	15-16 Budget Year	16-17 Budget Year	17-18 Budget Year	18-19 Budget Year	Grand Total
Owner-occupied	1,081	3,816	3,550	3,477	11,924
B	1	6	13	14	34
C	328	1415	1275	1322	4,340
D	532	1642	1585	1525	5,284
E	166	506	466	464	1,602
F	44	208	175	134	561
G	10	39	36	18	103
Rented (private)	191	839	666	123	1,819
A			1		1
B		2	4		6
C	76	331	268	12	687
D	79	305	246	52	682
E	17	104	72	26	219
F	14	75	63	22	174
G	5	22	12	11	50
Grand Total	1,272	4,655	4.216	3,600	13,743

Home Energy Scotland Loan Scheme

Since its launch in May 2017, there have been 3,076 loan applications paid out under the Home Energy Scotland loan scheme; comprising 2,805 owner occupied and 271 private rented sector applications. The information on EPC band achieved is not held centrally and is a matter for the Energy Savings Trust as keepers of the EPC register. This data has been requested and is currently being collated and I will write to the member as soon as the information is available and a copy will be placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib number 61066).

Question reference: S5W-25612

Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 02 October 2019
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 24 October 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what delivery and practical quality control mechanisms will be available from April 2021 to engage and support (a) self-funding owner-occupiers and (b) contractors to help accelerate the take-up of energy-efficiency schemes and low-carbon heat installations, and how it will use the lessons learned from the Energy Efficient Scotland Transition Programme to support this.

Mechanisms available to both owner-occupiers and contractors are outlined in the Energy Efficient Scotland Route Map . Since the publication of the route map, recommendations from the Quality Assurance short life working group have been published in March 2019 and findings from the social evaluation of the first phase of LHEES pilots have also now been published.

In addition, a short life working group on assessment was established and has drawn up a set of interim proposals that will be tested via the owner occupiers consultation in December.

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