Questions and answers

Chamber and committees

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 ��˿�� 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-24276

Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 09 July 2019
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 5 August 2019

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the publication of its Homelessness in Scotland: 2018 to 2019 statistics on 26 June 2019, for what reason there has been a 3% increase in homeless applications since 2017-18.

The reason for the increase in homeless applications during 2018-19 compared to 2017-18 is unclear. There is a mixed picture across Scotland, with seventeen local authorities seeing a decrease in the number of homeless applications received and fifteen local authorities seeing an increase. Those that have seen the largest increases are Glasgow City, Fife, North Lanarkshire, East Ayrshire and South Ayrshire.

The causes of homelessness can often be complex and not the result of a single incident or event. During 2018-19 the most common main reason for submitting a homeless application was being asked to leave (25%), followed by dispute within household: non-violent (18%) and dispute within household: violent or abusive (13%). These three categories have remained the main reasons for making a homeless application for the past 6 years. During 2018-19, 67% of applicants cited additional reasons for applying, the proportion of applicants reporting additional reasons for making a homeless application has increased from 49% in 2013-14, indicating that more households are experiencing more complex scenarios which lead to homelessness.

Other factors such as welfare reform, increased awareness and better signposting of assistance available may also have an impact on the number of applications received.

Question reference: S5W-24280

Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 09 July 2019
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 5 August 2019

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the publication if its Homelessness in Scotland: 2018 to 2019 statistics, how it is engaging with the City of Edinburgh Council given that it accounts for 69% of breaches of the Unsuitable Accommodation Order in 2018-19.

Following the publication of our biannual homelessness statistics in January I wrote to City of Edinburgh Council about their breaches of the Order and subsequently met with them to discuss the circumstances around the breaches and the plans they have in place to ensure that unsuitable accommodation is not used going forward. I have written again to them following the publication of the full year statistics and requested a further meeting to discuss the progress they have made and explore what further they can do to ensure breaches do not occur again.

We launched a consultation on improving Temporary Accommodation Standards on 22 May which seeks views on extending the Unsuitable Accommodation Order to all homeless households. The consultation asks questions on whether sanctions should be introduced when local authorities breach the order.

Question reference: S5W-24230

Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 04 July 2019
Current Status: Answered by Jamie Hepburn on 26 July 2019

To ask the Scottish Government how many aviation engineering apprentices will be required in the next 10 years, and what programmes are in place to ensure that there are enough.

The aeronautical sector is also represented on the Engineering Skills Leadership Group and the Aerospace, Defence, Marine and Security Industry Leadership Group. To ensure they continue to meet demand and skills needs of employers, the economy and apprentices, apprenticeships are reviewed on a regular basis, with employers, employer groups, trade bodies, training providers, trade unions and other stakeholders involved in the development and review processes.

Currently there are Engineering frameworks with pathways in Aeronautical Engineering for both Foundation and Modern Apprentices. Additionally the Engineering Design and Manufacturing Graduate Apprenticeship is closely aligned to the sector, and can be tailored to suit the requirements of employers and apprentices who work in Aeronautical Engineering.

To address future needs a proposition for workforce upskilling within Advanced Manufacturing is currently being developed for the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS), which will enable upskilling and future proofing for the Aviation Engineering sub-sector. Furthermore there is engagement with the Aviation Skills Partnership on their Aviation Skills Plan for Scotland, with input on Engineering Skills, including a work-based learning provision.

Question reference: S5O-03381

Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 05 June 2019
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 13 June 2019

To ask the Scottish Government under what circumstances it would consider using the provisions in the Referendums (Scotland) Bill.

Question reference: S5O-03310

Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 May 2019
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 30 May 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has carried out of the impact on older people of intergenerational projects.

Question reference: S5W-22988

Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 03 May 2019
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 16 May 2019

To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the revised code of conduct for property factors.

Scottish Ministers have a duty under the Property Factors (Scotland) Act 2011 (the Act) to prepare, from time to time, a code of conduct setting out minimum standards of practice for registered property factors. The Code was introduced in October 2012 and is currently under review.

The Scottish Government has consulted on proposals to strengthen the Code and sought views on the impact the Act has had on improving the regulation of property factors. The findings of the consultation are published at: .

Work to finalise the revised Code will take place over the course of 2019 and will be informed by the consultation responses. Regulations setting out the revised Code and the date they will come into force will be laid in Parliament later this year.

Question reference: S5O-03251

Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 08 May 2019
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 16 May 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what analysis the housing minister has undertaken of whether complaints against property factors and letting agents are being effectively resolved through the First-tier Tribunal for Scotland Housing and Property Chamber.

Question reference: S5O-03190

Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 01 May 2019
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 8 May 2019

To ask the Scottish Government how it assists older people to stay in their homes for as long as possible.

Question reference: S5W-22703

Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 17 April 2019
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 1 May 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what the main reasons were for those households assessed as intentionally homeless (a) making a homeless application and (b) failing to maintain accommodation in each of the last five years.

The following table gives the reason for making a homelessness application for those assessed as intentionally homeless for each of the last five years.

Reason for application	2013-2014	2014-2015	2015-2016	2016-2017	2017-2018
Termination of tenancy - mortgage due to rent arrears - default on payments	475	470	485	440	525
Other action by landlord resulting in the termination of the tenancy	280	255	245	220	220
Applicant terminated secure accommodation	240	235	165	155	160
Loss of service - tied accommodation	5	10	5	5	5
Discharge from prison - hospital - care - other institution	40	55	55	35	35
Emergency (fire, flood, storm, closing order from Environmental Health etc.)	5	5	5	0	0
Forced division and sale of matrimonial home	5	5	5	0	0
Other reason for loss of accommodation	95	100	110	125	125
Dispute within household: violent or abusive	45	45	30	30	30
Dispute within household - relationship breakdown: non-violent	85	105	70	55	65
Fleeing non-domestic violence	20	30	25	20	15
Harassment	25	25	20	20	20
Overcrowding	10	10	15	5	15
Asked to leave	260	270	240	190	180
Other reason for leaving accommodation - household	215	175	160	135	135
Total	1805	1795	1630	1440	1530

Source: HL1 dataset as at 12-12-2018

The following table gives the reasons for failing to maintain accommodation for those assesses as intentionally homeless in each of the last five years. Note that applicants may provide multiple reasons for failing to maintain their accommodation.

Reason for failing to maintain accommodation	2013-2014	2014-2015	2015-2016	2016-2017	2017-2018
All completing this question	1035	975	865	845	1030
Financial difficulties- debt- unemployment	490	445	450	420	575
Physical health reasons	40	55	60	75	95
Mental health reasons	115	120	145	180	265
Unmet need for support from housing- social work- health services	45	45	45	45	55
Lack of support from friends- family	95	105	95	120	150
Difficulties managing on own	130	110	105	110	135
Drug- alcohol dependency	165	145	125	145	175
Criminal- anti-social behaviour	195	155	135	105	145
Not to do with applicant household (e.g. landlord selling property, fire, circumstances of other persons sharing previous property, harassment by others, etc)	275	270	195	165	220
Refused	15	35	30	15	10

Source: HL1 dataset as at 12-12-2018

Question reference: S5O-03182

Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 24 April 2019
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 2 May 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to tackle violent crime.