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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-14057

Asked by: Ben Macpherson, MSP for Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 24 January 2018
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Roseanna Cunningham on 24 January 2018

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its position on electronic training devices for dogs.

The Scottish Government intends to ensure electronic training devices cannot be used to cause pain to animals. We will consult with animal welfare organisations to develop specific Guidance under Article 38 of the Animal Health and Welfare Scotland Act (2006). This Guidance will be published promptly to allow Courts to take it fully into account when considering criminal cases involving those accused of causing unnecessary suffering to animals.

We will not be pursuing our initial plans to recognise a qualification for trainers wishing to use electronic training collars.

Initial draft guidance has been published and is available at http://www.gov.scot/Topics/farmingrural/Agriculture/animal-welfare/AnimalWelfare/companion/electronictrainingaids

Question reference: S5W-14028

Current Status: Withdrawn

Question reference: S5W-13672

Asked by: Ben Macpherson, MSP for Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 04 January 2018
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 22 January 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what the average level of grant funding is for each affordable housing unit in Scotland, and how this compares with England.

Question reference: S5W-13670

Asked by: Ben Macpherson, MSP for Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 04 January 2018
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 22 January 2018

To ask the Scottish Government how many affordable homes have been delivered since 2007, and how the supply of affordable housing per head of population in Scotland compares with that in England.

Since 2007, 70,861 affordable homes have been delivered in Scotland (from April 2007 to September 2017).

Over the 2007-08 to 2016-17 financial years, this government’s supply of affordable housing per capita has been 33% higher than the UK government’s supply in England.

The following table shows the number of affordable housing units delivered for Scotland and England, and the rates per capita for each year.

Number of Affordable housing units delivered in Scotland and England, financial years from 2007-08

Scotland

England

Units delivered

Per capita

Units delivered

Per capita

Percentage difference between Scotland and England per capita rates

2007-08	5,670	110	53,180	104	6%
2008-09	6,221	120	55,720	108	11%
2009-10	8,092	155	58,290	112	38%
2010-11	7,231	137	61,090	116	18%
2011-12	6,882	130	58,330	110	18%
2012-13	6,009	113	43,120	81	40%
2013-14	7,012	132	43,030	80	65%
2014-15	7,069	132	66,700	123	8%
2015-16	6,518	121	32,630	60	104%
2016-17	7,336	136	41,530	75	81%
Total over 2007-08 to 2016-17	68,040	1,285	513,620	967	33%

Sources: Scottish Government Affordable Housing Supply Programme management information system and Ministry for Housing & Local Government live tables.

Figures on total affordable housing stock are not available.

Question reference: S5W-13671

Asked by: Ben Macpherson, MSP for Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 04 January 2018
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 22 January 2018

To ask the Scottish Government how many homes have been delivered since 2007 for social rent, and how the supply of homes for social rent compares with that in England.

Since 2007, 48,813 affordable homes for social rent have been delivered in Scotland (from April 2007 to September 2017).

Over the period from 2007-08 to 2016-17 financial years, this government’s supply of social rent affordable housing per capita has been 112% higher than in England.

The following table shows the number of affordable housing units delivered for Scotland and England within each financial year and the rates per capita for each year.

Number of Affordable housing units for social rent delivered in Scotland and England, with per capita rates, financial years from 2007-08

Scotland

England

Units delivered

Per capita

Units delivered

Per capita

Percentage difference between Scotland and England per capita rates

2007-08	4,226	82	29,640	58	42%
2008-09	4,662	90	31,120	60	49%
2009-10	5,465	104	33,490	64	63%
2010-11	5,836	111	39,560	75	48%
2011-12	5,652	107	37,680	71	50%
2012-13	4,274	80	17,620	33	144%
2013-14	4,368	82	10,920	20	304%
2014-15	4,376	82	9,570	18	364%
2015-16	3,853	72	6,800	12	478%
2016-17	4,580	85	5,380	10	771%
Total over 2007-08 to 2016-17	47,292	894	221,780	421	112%

Sources: Scottish Government Affordable Housing Supply Programme management information system and Ministry for Housing & Local Government live tables. In 2016, there were 4,099,000 social rented homes in England, which equates to 7,417 per 100,000 population and 594,632 in Scotland which equates to 11,002 per 100,000 population. The rate in Scotland was 48% higher.

Question reference: S5W-13830

Asked by: Ben Macpherson, MSP for Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 12 January 2018
Current Status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 22 January 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the supporting statistics published on 4 December 2017 by the Department for Work and Pensions in aid of the UK Parliament Work and Pensions Select Committee PIP and ESA assessments inquiry, given that the Scottish Government is in the process of receiving powers over this area.

The Scottish Government believe that the statistics published by the UK Government in response to the review could have been clearer. For example, they report that the proportion of all Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and Employment Support Allowance (ESA) decisions that were upheld at Mandatory Reconsideration and then overturned at First Tier Tribunal is 3% for PIP and 4% for ESA. However, 65% of PIP and ESA cases appealed were decided in favour of the applicant.

The Scottish Government is of the view that this indicates that DWP are not doing enough to get decisions right first time or at Mandatory Reconsideration stage.

We are committed to introducing a social security system that is founded on dignity and respect. Our approach to decision making will focus on getting decisions right first time, by making use of existing evidence.

Question reference: S5W-13831

Asked by: Ben Macpherson, MSP for Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 12 January 2018
Current Status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 22 January 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on reports that recent figures published by the Department of Work and Pensions on the performance of assessment providers Capita and Independent Assessment Services show that neither are meeting contractual targets of 97% of assessments conforming to standards, and how it aims to improve the assessment process under the new Scottish social security system.

The Scottish Government has noted the supporting statistics published by the Department for Work and Pensions, and remains concerned about many aspects of the UK Government's current social security system. We continue to hear from individuals who have experienced distress as a result of Personal Independence Payments (PIP) and Employment Support Allowance (ESA) assessments, and delays in the system exacerbate this for individuals.

As we have made clear from the outset, the Scottish Government is committed to introducing a social security system that is founded on dignity and respect. We are designing an assessment process which prioritises the needs of the disabled person – not the needs of those delivering the assessment.

We have made a clear commitment that profit making companies will not be involved in delivering assessments for disability benefits once devolved to Scotland. The culture and attitude of assessors will also incorporate dignity and respect. To ensure this, and to increase the quality of assessments, there will be consistent and appropriate training of assessors.

Question reference: S5W-13262

Asked by: Ben Macpherson, MSP for Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 08 December 2017
Current Status: Answered by Aileen Campbell on 8 January 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what measures are being taken to (a) treat and (b) support people with cystic fibrosis.

The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that everyone living in Scotland with long term conditions such as cystic fibrosis, are able to access the best possible care and support, and benefit from healthcare services that are safe, effective and put the patient at the centre of their care.

Cystic Fibrosis is a complex condition that affects people in different ways. As such, people with cystic fibrosis should be cared for by a team of doctors, nurses and allied health professionals with specialised knowledge providing professional skills, care and support to this group of patients and their families. This will include the development of a care plan unique to the individual’s needs.

Question reference: S5O-01604

Asked by: Ben Macpherson, MSP for Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 13 December 2017
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 21 December 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what impact UK Government welfare reform is having on homelessness in Scotland.

Question reference: S5O-01563

Asked by: Ben Macpherson, MSP for Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 29 November 2017
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 6 December 2017

To ask the Scottish Government how it is communicating with landlords and tenants regarding the new private residential tenancy, which was introduced on 1 December 2017.

The Scottish Government is working in partnership with Shelter Scotland and the Scottish Association of Landlords on a comprehensive awareness raising campaign to ensure everyone involved in private renting, from tenants and landlords to letting agents and housing professionals, understand their new rights and responsibilities. In the longer term we will continue to raise awareness to ensure that landlords re-letting their property using a Private Residential Tenancy for the first time and tenants starting a new tenancy in the future are aware of their rights and are able to access clear information.