Questions and answers

Question reference: S6W-28544

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 11 July 2024
Current Status: Answer expected on 8 August 2024

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the publication of the New Scots Strategy Delivery Plan, what the timeline is for the (a) development of and (b) delivery process for the national pilot scheme for free bus travel for people seeking asylum.

Question reference: S6W-28468

Asked by: Maurice Golden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 03 July 2024
Current Status: Answered by Paul McLennan on 11 July 2024

To ask the Scottish Government how much funding it has provided to remove asbestos from public buildings in each of the last three years.

The Scottish Government recognises the hazard of asbestos and the risks to health that it poses. However, asbestos is only dangerous when disturbed and advice from the Health and Safety Executive is that asbestos should remain in-situ providing it is in “Good” condition and even where damage is minor it should still be encapsulated rather than removed. The Scottish Government does not provide support to public authorities specifically for the removal of asbestos from their buildings as it is their statutory duty under UK Government legislation to manage issues relating to asbestos affecting their estate.

Question reference: S6W-27975

Asked by: Finlay Carson, MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 27 June 2024
Current Status: Answered by Paul McLennan on 11 July 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it is giving to the provision of support for dog owners who are fleeing domestic abuse and seeking accommodation, including (a) any lack of provision by local authorities to house people in temporary accommodation with a dog and (b) the length of time that is spent in temporary accommodation that does not allow pets, and the impact that such separation can have on human and dog welfare.

The Scottish Government recognises the physical and mental health benefits that stem from pet ownership.

While there is currently no legal duty on local authorities to house pets, the statutory code of guidance on homelessness and the temporary accommodation standards framework require local authorities to consider housing options which best meet an individual’s needs, including supporting homeless households to maintain relationships with their pets.

Each local authority will need to consider how to achieve this on a case-by-case basis. This may include working with other organisations to help with planning for people’s pets and providing assistance with the kennelling of any pets if an applicant is not able to keep them in their temporary accommodation. There are a number of animal charities that offer a fostering service so that people can leave an abusive partner knowing their pet will also be safely looked after until they can be reunited.

Tenants in the social sector can keep a pet with the written permission of their landlord, as can some private tenants. However, the Scottish Government wishes to enable all tenants where possible to benefit from the experience of pet ownership. There are provisions within the Housing (Scotland) Bill, which if passed, will give private and social housing tenants greater flexibility to have a pet by introducing a right to request to keep a pet, and for tenants’ requests not to be unreasonably refused.

Question reference: S6W-27973

Asked by: Finlay Carson, MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 27 June 2024
Current Status: Answered by Paul McLennan on 11 July 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it is giving to the provision of support for homeless dog owners who are seeking accommodation, including (a) any lack of provision by local authorities to house people in temporary accommodation with a dog and (b) the length of time that is spent in temporary accommodation that does not allow pets, and the impact that such separation can have on human and dog welfare.

The Scottish Government recognises the physical and mental health benefits that stem from pet ownership.

While there is currently no legal duty on local authorities to house pets, the statutory code of guidance on homelessness and the temporary accommodation standards framework require local authorities to consider housing options which best meet an individual’s needs, including supporting homeless households to maintain relationships with their pets.

Each local authority will need to consider how to achieve this on a case-by-case basis. This may include working with other organisations to help with planning for people’s pets and providing assistance with the kennelling of any pets if an applicant is not able to keep them in their temporary accommodation.

Tenants in the social sector can keep a pet with the written permission of their landlord, as can some private tenants. However, the Scottish Government wishes to enable all tenants where possible to benefit from the experience of pet ownership. There are provisions within the Housing (Scotland) Bill which, if passed, will give private and social housing tenants greater flexibility to have a pet by introducing a right to request to keep a pet, and for tenants’ requests not to be unreasonably refused.

Question reference: S6W-28340

Asked by: Pam Gosal, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 25 June 2024
Current Status: Answered by Paul McLennan on 11 July 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to implement an SME home builder impact assessment across the policy areas that support all-tenure housing delivery.

Question reference: S6W-28523

Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 10 July 2024
Current Status: Answer expected on 7 August 2024

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-26685 by Paul McLennan on 23 April 2024, whether it will define the term “large areas of the façade” in relation to the statement “Where large areas of the façade are being remediated, alterations will be required to comply with current (fire) building regulations including the use of acceptable materials”.

Question reference: S6W-28514

Asked by: Foysol Choudhury, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 10 July 2024
Current Status: Answer expected on 7 August 2024

To ask the Scottish Government how much public money has been spent on the administration of Sheriff Officer fees for the recovery of water and sewage charge debts from those in receipt of full Council Tax Reduction (CTR) in each year since CTR was introduced, broken down by year.

Question reference: S6W-28535

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 10 July 2024
Current Status: Answer expected on 7 August 2024

To ask the Scottish Government by what date, at the latest, it will have concluded the review and business case for upgrading Ardrossan Harbour.

Question reference: S6W-28530

Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 10 July 2024
Current Status: Answer expected on 7 August 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of the reasons for the reported delays in completion of roadworks on the M8 Woodside Viaduct.

Question reference: S6W-28504

Asked by: Craig Hoy, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 10 July 2024
Current Status: Answer expected on 7 August 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has any plans to review the system of student admission appeals.

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