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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.

Find out more about parliamentary questions

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Question reference: S5W-32050

Asked by: Annie Wells, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 24 September 2020
Current Status: Answered by Michael Russell on 2 October 2020

To ask the Scottish Government when it will issue guidance to local authorities regarding additional inspection and enforcement powers, as announced by the First Minister in her statement on 22 September 2020 (Official Report, c.12).

The new enforcement powers came into force on 28 August 2020 through The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Directions by Local Authorities) (Scotland) Regulations 2020. See https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2020/262/contents for details. Statutory guidance on use of these powers was published on 18 September 2020. See https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-local-authority-directions/ for details.

Question reference: S5O-04680

Asked by: Annie Wells, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 30 September 2020
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 8 October 2020

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the action it is taking to implement the measures for victims outlined in the 2019 report, Transforming Parole in Scotland.

Question reference: S5W-31764

Asked by: Annie Wells, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 11 September 2020
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 29 September 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to encourage increased uptake of the discretionary housing payment scheme.

Councils are providing regular feedback to the Scottish Government on a range of issues relating to DHPs including work they undertake to promote uptake. This feedback shows councils promote uptake in a range of ways and at key points of contact with tenants. Support and advice organisations also signpost their clients to the appropriate council for DHPs.

We will continue to use Scottish Government channels to promote DHPs, for example through social media platforms and in communications and resources we provide such as the Private Rented Sector Tenant Support Resource toolkit. We are also providing funding to Who Cares Scotland to promote DHPs to care experienced young people.

Scottish Government officials speak regularly with their COSLA counterparts to discuss a range of issues relating to DHPs including what more can be done to support councils with the administration of DHPs and how we can maximise uptake to ensure the additional money provided by the Scottish Government gets to those tenants who need it most.

Question reference: S5W-31760

Asked by: Annie Wells, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 11 September 2020
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 28 September 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to converting existing loans, which are available to people in need of assistance with housing and rent payments, into grants, or using allocated funding to top up schemes such as the discretionary housing payment.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic we have twice announced additional funding to Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs) in order to support those tenants financially affected, to help sustain tenancies and prevent homelessness. On 20 May 2020 an additional £5 million was made available and on 1 September 2020 the Programme for Government announced a further £3 million would be provided. This brings the total support for non-Bedroom Tax related DHPs this financial year to nearly £19 million.

We are developing a separate Tenants Hardship Loan Fund, the content of which is currently being finalised. One of the purposes of this fund is to widen the group of tenants we are able to offer support to by providing financial assistance to tenants who do not qualify for help through DHPs.

Question reference: S5W-31766

Asked by: Annie Wells, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 11 September 2020
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 24 September 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to giving local authorities the statutory right to buy properties from landlords who are struggling as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Affordable Housing Supply Programme can already support the purchase of second hand homes by local authorities or registered social landlords where this makes strategic sense. Private landlords interested in selling their property should in the first instance contact the relevant local authority to discuss whether this is an option.

We are supporting Landlords who have 5 properties or fewer and have lost rent due to the pandemic through the Landlord Loan scheme, more information can be found at the following link; www.covidlandlordloan.est.org.uk .

There are no plans to give local authorities the statutory right to buy specific properties from landlords who are struggling as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Question reference: S5O-04635

Asked by: Annie Wells, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 23 September 2020
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 30 September 2020

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the recent changes to the COVID-19 restrictions, what action it is taking to help older people who are more likely to be at risk from extended periods of loneliness.

Question reference: S5W-31765

Asked by: Annie Wells, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 11 September 2020
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 22 September 2020

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has considered changing the criteria for accessing the Private Rent Sector Landlord COVID-19 Loan Scheme to allow landlords in all categories to apply.

The PRS Landlord (non-business) Covid19 Loan Support loan fund is being extended in line with the anticipated extension of notice periods within the Coronavirus (Scotland) Act.

During the first six months of the scheme we have listened to landlords and stakeholders and the extension will expand the number of let properties a landlord can apply for assistance in respect of, from one property to up to three. Additionally the repayment period will now be set at 24 months. The existing limit of support to landlords who are not registered as businesses and have 5 or less let properties will remain.

Question reference: S5W-31763

Asked by: Annie Wells, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 11 September 2020
Current Status: Answered by Fergus Ewing on 22 September 2020

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish the scientific evidence used to inform its decision to restrict the playing of background music in hospitality venues.

Factors such as background sound that may lead to raised voices or cause people to lean-in close to others to be heard are a risk factor in the transmission of coronavirus. This is recognised by a wide body of scientific evidence in relation to the role of aerosols in the transmission of viruses. The current position of no background sound, including low level music and audio from television, is a measured and cautious approach to reduce risk. It is being kept under review and government continues to work with industry experts to consider how guidance can be developed to allow low level background sound to be managed safely.

Question reference: S5W-31762

Asked by: Annie Wells, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 11 September 2020
Current Status: Answered by Fergus Ewing on 18 September 2020

To ask the Scottish Government when it expects to update the guidance for hospitality venues regarding the playing of background music.

Question reference: S5W-31761

Asked by: Annie Wells, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 11 September 2020
Current Status: Answered by Fergus Ewing on 18 September 2020

To ask the Scottish Government on what basis it decided to restrict the playing of background music in hospitality venues, specifically where this music may not affect ambient noise levels.

Factors such as background sound that may lead to raised voices or cause people to lean-in close to others to be heard are a risk factor in the transmission of coronavirus. The current position of no background sound in hospitality, including low level music and audio from television, is a measured and cautious approach to reduce risk. It is being kept under review and government continues to work with industry experts to consider how guidance can be developed to allow low level background sound to be managed safely.