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In the period 1999 to 2007, schemes promoted by Councils under the Flood Prevention (Scotland) Act 1961, and confirmed by Scottish Ministers, were supported with grant funding. The grant was allocated to approved schemes on a project by project basis and paid to local authorities as those projects progressed. During that period 19 local authorities received funding for 29 flood protection schemes.

In 2008 a number of ring-fenced grants, including the Flood Prevention Grant, were amalgamated into a single General Capital Grant.

In 2012 an arrangement was agreed between Scottish Government and COSLA whereby the flooding component of the General Capital Grant would be distributed to major projects according to an agreed set of eligibility criteria. Applications were sought from local authorities in 2012 and 2014 to cover the period 2012-13 -‎ 2015-16. In 2012 local authorities applied for funding for 8 schemes and 3 were successful. In 2014 local authorities applied for funding for 8 schemes and 4 were successful.

In July 2016 it was agreed by Scottish Ministers and COSLA that from 2016-17 there would be a change in the distribution of funding for flooding. 80% of the available flooding capital grant would be allocated to large-scale projects and distributed according to the prioritisation of flooding schemes and works set out in the 14 Flood Risk Management Strategies which were published by SEPA in December 2015. In 2016 it was decided that 40 flood protection schemes, set out in the Strategies, were eligible for funding under the prioritisation described above. 2 schemes that were also on the prioritised list of schemes were not eligible for any new funding under the criteria agreed between the Scottish Government and COSLA.

In line with Scottish Government requirements for financial management and due diligence with public funds, our partners draw down funds once they have determined their requirements based on number of awards confirmed and projected awards to be made. Although, partners are encouraged to claim funds in each quarter, there is flexibility for the funds to be claimed by our partners. Although the Scottish Government is not in a position to provide a running total on how much is actually being spent, we are aware through our engagement with our partners that people are being referred for support right now and are receiving it, with our delivery partners experiencing high levels of demand.

To assist those worst affected by the rise in energy prices, we have allocated a further £10 million to keep our Fuel Insecurity Fund (FIF) operating in the current financial year. The FIF continues to be delivered via our third sector partners, namely the Fuel Bank Foundation, Advice Direct Scotland and the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations.

Funding split as follows:-

• Advice Direct Scotland - Home Heating Fund - £4.0m;
• Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA) - Social Tenants Housing Fund - £2.1m;
• Fuel Bank Foundation - £3.9m for projects to provide crisis support through its dedicated networks and unregulated fuel support provision

Since the start of the current financial year in April, £2 million has already been drawn down from the £10 million allocated. A request for a further £2.1m from our partner organisation is in the process of being paid out by officials. We expect funds to be drawn down in full throughout this financial year.

This data is the responsibility of individual Health Boards. Therefore the Scottish Government does not hold this data centrally.

The Scottish Government is aware of a backlog affecting a small number of cases with the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman (SPSO) while they recover from the effects of the Covid pandemic. The SPSO is a wholly independent office, not subject to the direction or control of the Scottish Government. We are aware however that the Scottish Parliament Corporate Body has agreed to supply of extra resources and recruitment of more staff which is allowing the SPSO to resource their COVID recovery plan. Further details can be found on the SPSO website.

As set out in the response to S6W-06821 on 10 March 2022 the vast majority of homelessness funding provided to local authorities has been included in the block grant. It is at each local authority’s discretion as to how they use this resource to prevent and respond to homelessness.

In addition, the Scottish Government provides local authorities with an annual share of £23.5 million for homelessness prevention and response measures and an annual share of £8 million to support the implementation of rapid rehousing transition plans (RRTPs). This funding is transferred to local government over the course of the year, and the breakdown of this funding for 2021-22, the last full financial year, is set out in the tables below. The final table includes resource provided to local authorities for coordination of the five Housing Options Hubs across Scotland.

The Scottish Government is aiming to introduce a Housing Bill to the Scottish Parliament in 2023.

The timing of the next report on roads will be a matter for Audit Scotland to consider in the planning of their work programme. The Accounts Commission and Auditor General for Scotland last published their report on Maintaining Scotland’s Roads in August 2016.

The Audit Scotland report on Maintaining Scotland’s Roads provides information on how road maintenance funding, spending and condition is measured and published. It is for Audit Scotland to determine how it does this.

Statistics relating to the progress of the Affordable Housing Supply Programme are published quarterly on the Scottish Government website. These figures relate to the number of approvals, site starts, and completions of homes, and can be accessed using the following link: https://www.gov.scot/publications/housing-statistics-for-scotland-new-house-building/.

The published statistics for the Affordable Housing Supply Programme include the latest figures on affordable housing delivery to the end of March 2022, with the next set of quarterly affordable housing statistics covering the period April to June 2022 expected to be published in October.

The Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 places statutory responsibility for local roads, including structures, improvements, maintenance and repair with local roads authorities. As such it is the responsibility of the local authority to determine how best to meet its duties on local roads in their respective areas.

SCOTS (the Society of Chief Officers of Transportation in Scotland) – www.scotsnet.org , are responsible for developing guidance and good practice on local road maintenance which is published on their website. Local authority asset management processes and procedures are led by the SCOTS Asset Management Group. Transport Scotland does share knowledge and best practice with local authorities through a number of forums. Local authorities also align with the national guidance and tools produced by the Department for Transport through the UK Roads Leadership Group, UK Roads Board and the UK Asset Management Board.

The Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 places statutory responsibility for local roads, including structures, improvements, maintenance and repair with local roads authorities. As such it is the responsibility of the local authority to determine how best to meet its duties on local roads in their respective areas and no formal guidance is issued on this matter.

SCOTS (the Society of Chief Officers of Transportation in Scotland) – www.scotsnet.org , are responsible for implementing new materials and best practice on local road maintenance.

Transport Scotland does share knowledge and best practice through a number of forums. Transport Scotland hosts the Scottish Road Research Board (SRRB) which undertakes research and trials of innovative new materials. SCOTS and the Scottish Road Works Commissioner are members of the SRRB. Transport Scotland also hosts the Transport Scotland Pavement Forum which discusses latest developments in road surfacing. This includes representatives of SCOTS (Society of Chief Officers of Transportation in Scotland) and from the road surfacing industry.