I have a final question, but I think that it has been covered. What are the biggest challenges and barriers to CPPs making the impacts that the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 anticipated?

It is a pleasure to speak in this debate to mark LGBT+ history month, and I congratulate Joe FitzPatrick on securing the debate and on his thoughtful and passionate opening speech. I pay tribute to his work as convener of the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee.

LGBT+ history month is marked in February, across the UK, as an opportunity to connect with and reflect on the past and present of the LGBT+ community, celebrate LGBT+ culture and progress towards equality, and explore the lessons that history can teach us for the future. This year’s UK theme celebrates LGBT+ people’s contribution to cinema and film from behind the lens.

In my constituency, the rainbow flag was raised at Solidarity Plaza in Clydebank to mark LGBT+ history month. That has been happening since 2008. The initiative has cross-party support in recognition of the need to maintain the momentum of equality.

I pay tribute to all LGBT+ constituents, groups, organisations and campaigners for equality. Much has been achieved by strong, determined and resolute campaigning. Now, Scotland is considered one of the most progressive countries in Europe when it comes to LGBT+ equality.

That equality has been hard fought for and the journey has been difficult for many people. Over that journey, the repeal of section 28 was secured and the Adoption and Children (Scotland) Act 2007 extended the right to adopt to same-sex couples. The Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Bill was passed on 4 February 2014 and the first same-sex marriage took place on 31 December 2014—the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Act 2014 is considered to be one of the most progressive such laws in the world. The Historical Sexual Offences (Pardons and Disregards) (Scotland) Act 2018 pardoned men who had been historically convicted as a result of same-sex activity and put in place a system whereby such convictions may be removed from the record and disregarded. The Census (Amendment) (Scotland) Act 2019 introduced into the census, for the first time, questions on sexual orientation and trans status. In addition, Scotland is the first country to embed LGBT-inclusive education in the curriculum.

We must celebrate the progress that has been made and remember the people who did so much to ensure that it was achieved. However, lessons have been learned that show that we cannot be complacent. The Equality Network highlights that our LGBT community

“experience high levels of hate crime”.

We must drive on with the message of zero tolerance towards hateful behaviour.

The current impasse regarding the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill must be fixed. We must move to end conversion practices in Scotland, and we must strive instead to support and celebrate people for who they are.

It is clear that Scotland has made significant progress since way back, when the decriminalisation of homosexuality came into force in 1981, but we must keep going, to ensure that we do not take a step backwards. Let us all be honest: recent debates have created a difficult atmosphere for our LGBT+ community, which should be a real cause for concern. Even more than ever, Parliament’s message must be loud and clear: that we want to secure equality for our LGBT+ community. The journey is not finished.

In the contributions that we make in this debate on LGBT+ history month, we can show that we have learned the lessons of history and that we promote an inclusive and progressive Scotland that secures the talents of all our people.

I have a final question. As we are pushed for time, I will ask it quickly, and I hope that your response will be quick. Do any of the witnesses have any comments about the impact of the legislation on student tenancies? Do you agree with the Scottish Government’s plan to suspend the rent cap for those tenancies?

I put that question to any of the witnesses. You might not be able to answer it; if not, just say.

Thank you. Can you provide more detail on how the Scottish Government intends to monitor and review the impact of the short-term lets licensing regime, with a particular focus on residential amenity, housing markets and the tourist economy?

Do you have any comments on the impact of legislation on student tenancies? Do you agree with the Scottish Government’s plans to suspend the rent cap on such tenancies? I will go first to Sarah-Jane Laing.

Good morning to the panel. It is good to see you.

As you are aware, the legislation required the Scottish ministers to ensure that tenants who were affected by the rent cap and the moratorium on evictions received appropriate information, advice and support on the measures that were in place. How effective has the Scottish Government been in doing that, and should anything else change? I ask Mike Callaghan to start.

Thanks for that.

Is there anything that local government could do?

Sherina, is there anything you want to add?

I thank the panellists for joining us this afternoon. I have asked previous panels this question, although I have slightly amended it. Could the Scottish Government take further measures to support councils and landlords to assist tenants through the cost of living crisis?