Meeting of the Parliament [Draft]

Meeting date: Thursday, March 14, 2024

Official Report 1037KB pdf

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Portfolio Question Time

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Social Justice

Good afternoon. The first item of business is portfolio questions, and the portfolio on this occasion is social justice. Members who wish to ask a supplementary question should press their request-to-speak buttons during the relevant question.

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Scottish Child Payment (Uptake)

To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to promote the uptake of the Scottish child payment. (S6O-03198)

Our game-changing Scottish child payment is putting money into the pockets of the families of more than 327,000 children, with £573 million having been paid since launch. We are encouraged to see the latest estimates of take-up rates, which show that take-up for all children aged under 16 at the end of March 2023 was 83 per cent. However, we know that there is always more that we can do. Social Security Scotland continuously promotes the Scottish child payment across multiple channels including social media, marketing and news releases; via key stakeholders; and through the distribution of promotional materials to partners including libraries, nurseries and schools.

Will the cabinet secretary comment on the impact that the payment is having on keeping children in Scotland out of poverty? Does she share my concerns about the Westminster Government’s two-child policy undermining our efforts? Will she be clear that the two-child policy and its abhorrent rape clause will never be considered for the Scottish child payment?

I confirm to the member that the Scottish child payment is available for every eligible child. Modelling suggests that Scottish Government policies will keep 100,000 children out of relative poverty in 2024-25, which includes keeping 60,000 children out of poverty through the Scottish child payment.

The member is quite right: the UK Government could do so much more. It could lift a further 40,000 children out of poverty next year if it made key changes to social security, including reversing the two-child limit and introducing an essentials guarantee. It is disappointing that the spring budget held none of those policies and that, therefore, those children will remain in poverty due to Westminster’s inactivity.

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Housing (Empty Properties)

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to bring empty properties back into use for housing. (S6O-03199)

We continue to tackle empty homes as a priority, bringing more homes back into use as warm, safe and secure housing. Our interventions have been recognised by an independent audit that endorses the £3.2 million investment in the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership, which has seen over 9,000 privately owned homes successfully returned to use. That is why I was pleased to announce yesterday a further £423,000 of funding to support that important work in 2024-25.

Mr Briggs will be aware that I wrote to Parliament in September to outline the further actions that we are taking to enhance our approach. Those actions reflect the wide range of complex circumstances that have to be addressed.

I agree that we need a real call to action to bring the estimated 43,000 empty homes in Scotland back into use. Shelter has done some welcome work in England to support councils to bring homes back. Here in Edinburgh, in my area, there are 3,000 council-owned empty properties. What work will the Scottish Government do to help councils to fund projects to bring properties back? Has the Scottish Government looked at an empty homes refurbishment fund, for example, to enable councils to bid for money to do that?

The member mentioned the Edinburgh situation. When I met the City of Edinburgh Council last week, we talked about what we can do about the number of voids, which are empty homes. We have asked the council for proposals on that and we will see how we can work with it.

I mentioned the further £423,000 of funding to support important work in 2024-25. I am happy to continue to discuss the matter with the member.

In much of rural and island Scotland, derelict and empty properties litter the landscape. Does the minister agree that bringing such properties back into habitation is both vital to reinvigorate communities and, in most instances, considerably less expensive than new-build housing? What progress has been made over the past year and will be made in the next year to deliver on that objective?

I have been engaging closely with local authorities, housing providers and businesses in rural areas to support the delivery of more affordable homes across rural and island areas, and to consider how we can make best use of our existing supply. Our “Rural & Islands Housing Action Plan” supports the delivery of the Scottish Government’s commitment to deliver 110,000 affordable homes, of which 10 per cent will be in rural and island areas.

The plan recognises that, alongside the delivery of new homes for rural and island communities, existing homes are a key part of our approach, including bringing empty homes back into active use.

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Deafblindness Definition (Social Security Scotland)

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has undertaken regarding the incorporation of the definition of deafblindness into the work of Social Security Scotland. (S6O-03200)

Social Security Scotland works with individuals and disability organisations to design services, and every stage of the application process has been tested. The initial equality impact assessment for communication support for deaf, deafblind and hard of hearing Social Security Scotland clients was completed in May 2022. People can apply in ways that suit them best, either by phone, online or paper application form, and local delivery advisers offer in-person support in every local authority area.

We are committed to continually improving our delivery of benefits, and the people of Scotland can be assured that that will be based on dignity, fairness and respect.

The cross-party group on deafness, of which I am deputy convener, has worked tirelessly towards the adoption in Scotland of a definition of deafblindness. That definition is the Nordic model—it has been accepted in the United Kingdom since 1985, and it is the recognised definition across the European Union, with which the Scottish Government has frequently stated that it wishes to align.

My question is simple: will the Scottish Government reassess its position not to recognise the definition of deafblindness, so that people across Scotland are clear on what they may or may not be eligible for?

I appreciate that there is an on-going campaign on the formal definition of deafblindness, and recently there has been a members’ business debate on the matter. I am happy to hear from Roz McCall in greater detail on the issue, as, I am sure, are colleagues in Social Security Scotland. While the campaign may be on-going, it is important that we continue the dialogue and our discussions to ensure that we support every client who comes to Social Security Scotland.

As I said, I am happy to carry on that dialogue, as I am sure the agency is, too.

Question 4 has not been lodged.

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Social Housing Waiting Lists (Disabled People)

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to reduce social housing waiting lists for disabled people. (S6O-03202)

The Scottish Government has led the United Kingdom on housing by delivering more than 126,000 affordable homes since 2007, more than 89,000 of which were for social rent, including almost 24,000 council homes. We will also invest £556 million in affordable housing in 2024-25, the majority of which will be for social rent.

We remain focused on delivering 110,000 affordable homes by 2032. To support that, we will bring forward a review that was scheduled for 2026-27 to 2024, which will concentrate on deliverability. We are also working with the financial community in Scotland and elsewhere to boost private sector investment and help deliver more homes.

There is also a role for local authorities in preparing their local housing strategies. I am discussing that with them to identify, first, what the waiting lists are and, secondly, the actions that they are undertaking in that regard.

The minister might be aware that in North Lanarkshire, 1,170 disabled people, many of whom are children, are currently stuck on social housing waiting lists. Instead of taking the issue seriously, the Scottish National Party Government has chosen to slash the housing budget by more than £200 million in the past year. How does the minister expect to cut those lists when social house building is being discouraged by his own Government’s cuts?

I will come to that point in a second.

A key element of our approach was the launch in June last year of the consultation on “Housing for Varying Needs: a design guide”, which related to new builds—the consultation closed in December.

When we talk about investment in social housing, there are a couple of points of context to highlight. One is that we build 40 per cent more affordable homes than England does, and 70 per cent more than Wales does.

There is a 10 per cent capital budget cut from the member’s Government—[Interruption.] Obviously, the member has no influence on that whatsoever. It was a choice by the Tory Government to cut the capital budget allocation to the Scottish Government—[Interruption.]

Minister, can you resume your seat?

It started with a question being heckled, disappointingly, by some who had already been invited to ask a question. The answers are now likewise being heckled. We are not going to get through this item of business if that continues.

Minister, please continue.

I mentioned the 10 per cent capital budget cut. There was also a dramatic cut to the financial transactions, which gave us flexibility. We spend £90 million a year on discretionary housing payments—again, due to policies by your Government. If those payments were removed, we would have £90 million extra to invest in the houses that you are talking about.

Speak through the chair, please, minister.

The minister will be aware of the “Dying in the margins” work by Marie Curie and the University of Glasgow, which has reinforced the significant demand for adapted properties for people who are diagnosed with a terminal illness. When someone passes, there is an impact on their family when they have to move out of an adapted property very quickly.

What will the Government do to engage with that piece of work to ensure a sufficiency of adapted properties and support for people who are grieving?

The member’s question is well timed. I spoke to Ellie Wagstaff at an event last night, and she talked about that particular project.

I have been doing a piece of work with MND Scotland, which supports people who are in a similar position to others with debilitating or terminal diseases. We have been working with the Association of Local Authority Chief Housing Officers and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities to deliver a pathway that provides effective adaptations at the outset, when people need them. COSLA and ALACHO continue to work with MND Scotland and others to deliver that pathway. I am happy to pick that up with the member afterwards.

The minister must know that one in four wheelchair users says that their home is not suitable for their needs, and that 17,000 of them have unmet housing needs. Many people in my North East Fife constituency are desperate for a home, yet only 1 per cent of the social housing is suitable. With 17 years of a social housing build programme, why are so many homes unsuitable for disabled people?

It is very much a partnership approach. I mentioned the local housing strategies, which are produced by the local authorities. I have had discussions with Fife Council and other local authorities; it is about making sure that they are aware of the number of people who are in that position, which Mr Rennie talked about, and what they can do. We talk about adaptation in “Housing for Varying Needs: a design guide”, which deals with housing going forward, but it is up to the local housing strategy, which Fife Council would have produced, to identify the numbers involved.

I have raised the matter with Fife Council on a number of occasions, and I am happy to pick it up with Mr Rennie afterwards.

Question 6 is not lodged.

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Social Isolation and Loneliness

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its plans to tackle social isolation and loneliness. (S6O-03204)

We published our delivery plan for our social isolation and loneliness strategy, “Recovering our Connections 2023-2026”, in March 2023. The plan aims to improve understanding of social isolation and loneliness, to reduce the harm that is caused by it and to tackle the public health issue.

The plan highlights the actions that we are taking, including providing funding support of more than £3 million to 53 organisations across Scotland over a three-year period to deliver community-led activity that responds to local needs.

The Scottish Government will continue to work with the social isolation and loneliness advisory group to help us to deliver the plan and to collaborate on ways to tackle social isolation and loneliness for those most impacted.

The Sunday Post and Age Scotland have launched the big braw community, which is a campaign to reduce loneliness and isolation among older people by 2030. It is backed by the “Cartoon Cavalcade” legend Glen Michael, who is 98 years old—most people in here, apart from Meghan Gallacher, will know who I am talking about. Today, to use some good old-fashioned newspaper language, I can sensationally reveal that the campaign is now being backed by none other than Oor Wullie and that Scotland’s naughtiest schoolboy is to break the habit of a lifetime by helping the old folk of Auchenshuggle, starting this Sunday—so members should get their Sunday Post. Does the Scottish Government join Glen Michael, me and Oor Wullie in supporting this excellent campaign?

I am not sure how old the member thinks I am. Although I do not understand all his references, I certainly understand the one to the big braw community campaign. We discussed it at the most recent meeting of the social isolation and loneliness advisory group. I very much welcome the support for the campaign to tackle social isolation and loneliness, and I look forward to working with everybody involved to make sure that we are all on the same page and doing all that we can.

I am somebody who can remember Glen Michael.

Will the minister elaborate on what impact the £3.2 million social isolation and loneliness fund is expected to have on the wellbeing of the groups and individuals across Scotland who are most in need of support?

I have managed to meet quite a few of the organisations in receipt of money from the fund so far. Even on those brief visits, I have been able to appreciate the impact that the fund is having on groups such as older people, younger people, those with mental health difficulties and disabled people.

The fund’s intention is to support organisations to create opportunities for people to connect, and we know from evaluation of the first year of activity that many organisations have reported increased social connections and the associated improvement in the mental wellbeing of participants. One organisation reported that 100 per cent of participants have improved their confidence in going out and being socially active simply by engaging with the project. The evaluation also told us that some organisations have improved partnership working in order to increase the activities on offer to communities.

The total number of beneficiaries predicted to benefit from funded activities is about 20,000 over the duration of the fund. We will continue to monitor progress with the fund.

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Housing

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to comments made by the Chartered Institute of Housing Scotland, which described Scotland as being “in the midst of a housing emergency”. (S6O-03205)

I spoke to CHIS at its conference last week on the day that it made that announcement. We recognise the housing challenges that are being experienced across the United Kingdom, and we are determined to address the current levels of homelessness, in part through the supply of affordable social housing.

However, the UK Government failed to inflation proof its capital budget, which has resulted in nearly a 10 per cent real-terms cut in our capital funding. The financial transactions budget has also been cut by 62 per cent. That is on top of Brexit and UK Government financial mismanagement that has caused inflationary pressures and supply and labour shortages in the construction industry.

As I have mentioned previously, we are working with the financial community in Scotland and elsewhere to boost private sector investment and deliver more homes.

After 17 years in government, what a shameful response that is. In Scotland, 10,000 children are living in temporary accommodation and 130,000 households are waiting for social housing, and that response from the minister is the best that we get from the Government.

Shelter Scotland accused this Government—not any other Government—of “gaslighting” the people of Scotland on the housing emergency. Three councils have declared a housing emergency, and CHIS is the latest in a long line of organisations to declare such an emergency. Everyone knows that it is an emergency, except this Government.

Shelter has specifically called on the First Minister to make an urgent statement to the Parliament on Scotland’s housing emergency before the Easter recess. Will he do that? If he will not, why not?

I cannot comment for the First Minister, but I will take up some of the member’s points. If he looks at the statement that Shelter released about the UK Government, he will see that it was as damning as the statement about the Scottish Government.

If we are going to quote independent analysis, we should look at the Crisis homelessness monitor—one of the key pieces of work to have come out in the past few months—which is based on independent research at Heriot-Watt University. One of the two things that it said have had the biggest impact on reducing homelessness is local housing allowance, which has been frozen by the UK Government for a number of years and for which there is a big demand. That presents a challenge for the Labour Party, too; once—or if—it comes to power in the UK, will it reinstate that? The second most important issue is universal credit rates. Again, those decisions have been made by the UK Government.

I go back to the point about the 10 per cent cut to our capital budget. As we are talking about decisions, our capital budget was cut by 10 per cent in order to pay for national insurance cuts for the most wealthy in society.

Will the minister confirm that, despite UK Government cuts to capital funding, Scotland’s affordable housing supply programme remains the most ambitious and successful such programme in the UK?

Our affordable housing supply programme is, indeed, the most ambitious such programme in the UK. We remain focused on delivering 110,000 affordable homes by 2032, despite the UK Government’s unprecedented cuts to our capital funding.

Since 2007, Scotland has led the way in housing, having delivered more than 40 per cent more affordable homes per head of population than England and 70 per cent more than Wales. From 23 March 2022 to the end of September 2023, 15,765 homes were delivered towards the affordable homes target of 110,00, and 12,188 of the homes that have been delivered are for social rent.

Does the minister accept that, in the period since the Government came to office in 2007, more social housing properties have been constructed each year, on average, than was the case for the eight years before the Government came to office?

All of us want more affordable housing developments to be undertaken. However, if the Scottish Government budget was not subjected to the callous cuts in capital expenditure that we have experienced from the Conservative Government perpetually and consistently, would that not help to enable the Scottish Government to fulfil its objectives and to address the legitimate concerns that have been raised by the housing sector?

I concur with the member’s points. The Scottish Government has consistently delivered more homes per head of population than any other part of the United Kingdom. I mentioned the impact of the 10 per cent cut to our capital budget, and the 62 per cent cut to our financial transactions budget has made the situation extremely difficult for us. It comes back to the point about decision making, because the 10 per cent cut in our capital budget paid for national insurance cuts for the most wealthy in society.

That concludes portfolio question time.