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Questions and answers

Parliamentary questions can be asked by any MSP to the Scottish Government or the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. The questions provide a means for MSPs to get factual and statistical information.

Written questions must be answered within 10 working days (20 working days during recess)
Other questions such as Topical, Portfolio, General and First Minister's Question Times are taken in the Chamber

Urgent Questions aren't included in the Question and Answers search. There is a SPICe fact sheet listing Urgent and emergency questions.

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Question reference: S5W-13033

Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 29 November 2017
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 12 December 2017

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answers to questions S5W-11853 and S5W-11854 by Kevin Stewart on 25 October 2017, what provisions are in place to ensure the same standards are met for listed and pre-1919 buildings that are not grant-funded by HES.

Question reference: S5W-13030

Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 29 November 2017
Current Status: Answered by Jamie Hepburn on 12 December 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to providing additional funding for training new workers in the construction sector.

Question reference: S5W-13027

Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 29 November 2017
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 12 December 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to the rent to buy model; what its position is on this measure; whether any assessment has been made of the likely take-up of this, and, if so, what the result of the assessment was.

Through the More Homes Scotland approach, Scottish Government is encouraging and supporting a range of interventions to increase the supply of homes within the affordable and private housing sectors and this includes rent to buy models. We currently have a rent to buy pilot scheme with the Highland Small Communities Housing Trust.

The National Housing Trust initiative can also potentially offer tenants the option to purchase their homes. This initiative offers tenants a private residential tenancy (or short assured tenancy) product. The option to buy the home is explored with tenants during their tenancy.

We are continually considering new innovative delivery options to increase the supply of new homes and Rent to Buy models have been discussed with stakeholders and partners as part of on-going engagement.

Question reference: S5W-13036

Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 30 November 2017
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 12 December 2017

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-11854 by Kevin Stewart on 25 October 2017, in light of the development of the skills listed being voluntary, what plans it has to make accreditation mandatory for retrofit work on listed and traditional buildings.

Question reference: S5W-13037

Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 30 November 2017
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 12 December 2017

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-11852 by Kevin Stewart on 25 October 2017, what protections are in place for alterations and changes that may be damaging but are allowed to take place without a Listed Building Consent.

In cases where proposed works to a listed building have been scrutinised by the regulatory authorities and a Listed Building Consent is deemed unnecessary the issue of ‘damage’ should not arise because all proposed works are assessed on the basis of their potential impact on the special architectural or historic character of the building in question. Local planning authorities decide what requires consent and determine any associated applications.

In cases where unauthorised works have been carried out on a listed building the local authority can take enforcement action or seek to prosecute those responsible under the terms of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation) (Scotland) Act 1997 to rectify the damage caused to the historic fabric. Most local authorities have published enforcement guidance and they will seek to investigate any breach if brought to their attention.

In addition Section 137 of Scottish Planning Policy 2014 states how the planning system should promote the care and protection of the designated and non-designated historic environment assets and enable positive change which is informed by a clear understanding of the importance of the heritage assets affected and ensure their future use. Change should be sensitively managed to avoid or minimise adverse impacts on the fabric and setting of the asset, and ensure that its special characteristics are protected, conserved or enhanced.

Question reference: S5W-13038

Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 30 November 2017
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 12 December 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of pre-1919 residential buildings are not listed.

Question reference: S5W-13039

Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 30 November 2017
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 12 December 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether EPC measures for the U-value of stone construction in Scotland fairly represent actual in situ performance.

EPCs are produced using the UK Government National Calculation Methodology (NCM) that conforms to the requirements of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (2010/31/EU).

Within the NCM, default U-values for the performance of building elements are provided for use in the calculation methodology where it is impractical to obtain building-specific U-values. These U-values are developed by the UK Government to be representative of typical constructions.

A recent UK Government review of the NCM resulted in changes to default values cited for solid and cavity brick construction. We are currently investigating whether a similar review of U-values for stone external wall construction is merited.

Question reference: S5W-13032

Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 29 November 2017
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 6 December 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to the introduction of new towns as a means to tackle housing shortages, as recommended by RICS and similar to those announced for England by the UK Government.

New towns are not a new solution – or the only solution. Housing development is needed at all scales – from new communities to redevelopment of vacant sites in settlements. We expect local authorities to take a lead in saying where development should take place based upon local requirements and capacity for growth.

It is the role of local authorities, in consultation with their stakeholders and communities to determine how housing growth will be delivered in its area. It is not for Government to impose new towns on communities but to provide the strategic framework to allow these decisions to be taken and implemented locally.

Question reference: S5O-01561

Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 29 November 2017
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 6 December 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what progress is being made to end rough sleeping this winter.

Question reference: S5W-12720

Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 15 November 2017
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 29 November 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it is undertaking in response to reports that more than 2,700 more people died in the winter months of 2016 and 2017 compared to summer months.

A seasonal increase in deaths is seen each winter in Scotland, across the UK, and across Europe. Previous research has shown Scotland to be about average for Europe in terms of its seasonal increase¹.

The long-term trend in the seasonal increase in mortality in the winter has generally been downward. Although there have been unusually large figures in some years (including 4,060 in winter 2014-15), the size of these periodic peaks has also generally appeared to be falling.

As part of their Winter Mortality in Scotland 2016-17 publication, the National Records of Scotland has undertaken and published a range of analysis investigating the seasonal increase in deaths observed in winter.

This includes analysis describing the age of those that died and the causes of death, as well as providing figures for individual NHS Boards and Local Authorities. Also included is analysis presenting winter death rates alongside average winter temperatures and measures of influenza activity. The publication of results for previous winters allows comparisons over time.

Winter Mortality in Scotland 2016-17:https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/statistics-and-data/statistics/statistics-by-theme/vital-events/deaths/winter-mortality/winter-mortality-in-scotland-201617

1. Healy JD, 2003 - Excess winter mortality in Europe: a cross-country analysis identifying key risk factors. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 57: 784 - 789.