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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: S6W-04808

Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 03 December 2021
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 15 December 2021

To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) project and (b) housing unit applications have been (i) received and (ii) approved for grant assistance to deliver affordable housing above Affordable Housing Investment Benchmark level in each quarter since Q1 2016.

The following table shows the total number of homes and projects received and approved where investment benchmarks were applicable, as well as separating out those homes and projects approved above benchmark.

The benchmark system is a flexible, administrative tool which is used for grant assessment purposes only – rather than being a grant rate or grant ceiling. Projects that can be delivered with grant funding at or below the relevant benchmark follow a streamlined application and approval process. Projects which are seeking grant funding in excess of the relevant benchmark follow a more detailed value for money assessment before any funding decision is made.

To note that these figures relate to financial years 2016-17 to 2020-21, and quarter one and two for 2021-22. The Affordable Housing Supply Programme quarterly statistics to end September 2021 were published on 7 December 2021:

Financial Year by Quarter	Total No. of Homes Approved Using AHSP Benchmarks	Total No. of Homes Approved Above AHSP Benchmarks	Total No. of Projects Approved Using AHSP Benchmarks	Total No. of Projects Approved Above AHSP Benchmarks
2016-17 Q1	478	74	27	5
2016-17 Q2	1,398	246	57	7
2016-17 Q3	1,530	327	73	20
2016-17 Q4	3,999	1,203	160	45
2016-17 Sub-Total	7,405	1,850	317	77
2017-18 Q1	911	471	34	16
2017-18 Q2	1,411	307	45	14
2017-18 Q3	869	214	41	14
2017-18 Q4	4,376	1,435	165	41
2017-18 Sub-Total	7,567	2,427	285	85
2018-19 Q1	771	299	29	10
2018-19 Q2	996	342	39	13
2018-19 Q3	2,094	711	76	22
2018-19 Q4	4,175	1,365	142	47
2018-19 Sub-Total	8,036	2,717	286	92
2019-20 Q1	978	482	43	19
2019-20 Q2	1,598	431	48	14
2019-20 Q3	2,552	1,130	95	35
2019-20 Q4	4,717	2,747	152	82
2019-20 Sub-Total	9,845	4,790	338	150
2020-21 Q1	443	118	22	9
2020-21 Q2	746	225	41	16
2020-21 Q3	1,577	755	54	17
2020-21 Q4	2,720	861	105	30
2020-21 Sub-Total	5,486	1,959	222	72
2021-22 Q1	558	153	24	12
2021-22 Q2	1,247	763	38	21
2021-22 Sub-Total	1,805	916	62	33
Total	40,144	14,659	1,510	509

Question reference: S6W-04811

Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 03 December 2021
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 15 December 2021

To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) FTE staff and (b) staffing hours have been assigned to assessing applications for grant assistance to deliver affordable housing above Affordable Housing Investment Benchmark level, in each quarter since Q1 2016.

Question reference: S6F-00579

Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 13 December 2021
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 16 December 2021

To ask the First Minister whether the Scottish Government will require large retail stores to close on New Year’s Day 2022 so that retail workers can spend the day with their loved ones.

Question reference: S6W-04588

Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 25 November 2021
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 10 December 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the housebuilding and lending sectors about the Deposit Unlock mortgage scheme, and what comparable government support for home buyers will be available from April 2022.

Deposit Unlock, is an industry led mortgage indemnity scheme which enables buyers of new build properties to purchase with a 5% deposit. Homes for Scotland have kept the Scottish Government informed about the scheme throughout its development.

The UK Mortgage Guarantee Scheme also helps to increase the supply of 5% deposit mortgages by supporting lenders to offer these products through a government backed guarantee on new 95% mortgages until 31 December 2022.

The Low-cost Initiative for First Time Buyers (LIFT) will continue to be available in Scotland next financial year.

Question reference: S6W-04599

Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 25 November 2021
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 8 December 2021

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-02085 by Maree Todd on 23 August 2021, how regularly women who have had breast cancer are screened following recovery, and how many women over 70 who have had breast cancer self-referred into the breast screening programme in each year since 2011.

Following treatment for breast cancer, women are followed up by the symptomatic breast service annually, commonly for at least 5 years. After that, women who are aged between 50 and 70 years are invited to attend the Scottish Breast Screening Programme (SBSP) every 3 years. Women who are aged 71 years or over following discharge from symptomatic breast cancer treatment and follow up appointments can ordinarily self-refer to the SBSP once every 3 years; however, self-referrals for women in this age-group are currently suspended due to capacity challenges in the programme associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.

The number of women who had breast cancer and self-referred into the SBSP following treatment is not routinely collected or reported, and therefore the Scottish government cannot provide this information.

Question reference: S6W-04600

Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 25 November 2021
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 8 December 2021

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-02085 by Maree Todd on 23 August 2021, whether women over 70 who have had breast cancer are entitled to self-refer into the breast screening programme in the absence of lumps, signs and symptoms of breast cancer.

Once they have completed breast cancer treatment and follow-up with the symptomatic breast service, women aged 71 and over are ordinarily able to self-refer into the Scottish Breast Screening Programme for screening every three years. However, self-referrals for women in this age-group are currently suspended due to capacity challenges in the programme associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.

It is important to stress that any woman, regardless of their age, who is concerned about possible symptoms of breast cancer should consult their GP straight away so these can be investigated, rather than wait for their next screening appointment.

Question reference: S6W-04525

Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 19 November 2021
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 6 December 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what (a) additional funding and (b) non-financial support it is providing to local authorities to implement the Homeless Persons (Unsuitable Accommodation) (Scotland) (Modification and Revocation) (Coronavirus) Amendment Order 2021, in light of recent reports of some being unable to meet the terms of the order.

In 2021-22, local authorities have been allocated 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. The Scottish Government has also offered a range of non-financial support. This includes clarifying the process for funding to build new accommodation, dedicated engagement with local authorities facing the most significant challenges and hosting an event that brought all Scottish local authorities together to share good practice to support compliance with the Order.

Recent engagement has shown that all local authorities are making positive progress towards reducing the use of unsuitable accommodation. The Scottish Government will continue to work with local authorities to sustain this progress and identify support to help overcome barriers.

Question reference: S6W-04527

Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 19 November 2021
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 3 December 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what review it has carried out of the (a) new and (b) existing actions in the Ending Homelessness Together updated plan that are (i) ranked red and (ii) planned for 2021-22.

Question reference: S6W-04528

Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 19 November 2021
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 3 December 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what review it will conduct of the effectiveness of the measures in the Ending Homelessness Together updated plan.

We currently report on progress against the measures in Ending Homelessness Together action plan by means of an annual report to parliament. At the most recent meeting of the Homelessness Prevention and Strategy Group on 5 November 2021, we invited views from the expert group, which includes representatives with lived experience of homelessness, on how we can more effectively measure the impact of measures to end homelessness. The group saw value in the development of an improved outcomes monitoring framework. Officials are now exploring ways to improve the way we use evidence and data and will report back to the Homelessness Prevention and Strategy Group in due course.

Question reference: S6W-04526

Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 19 November 2021
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 3 December 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what the timeline is for the Ending Homelessness Together updated plan, and by what date all of the outcomes will be achieved.

Our Ending Homelessness Together action plan sets out actions we are taking in the short to medium term to end homelessness. Some actions have timescales associated with them while others involve system-wide reforms. There are timescales for the funding that supports the action plan, however. The £50 million Ending Homelessness Together Fund announced in 2017 is for five years (2018-23) and the new £50 million announced in Programme for Government 2021 to end homelessness is for this parliamentary term (2021-26).