Chamber and committees

The council have considered residents with poor credit ratings and have offered payments plans which have been extended to 15 years and the interest rate was lowered to 4% from 8%. This option was specifically established where owners would not be eligible for loans from other sources and is not dependant on any credit references being obtained.

The City of Edinburgh Council set their 21-day timescale during the Wester Hailes pilot and the timescale is based on experience gained during the pilot programme.

The timescale allows owners to reflect and seek advice but is short enough to prevent undue delays to the repairs. The council have provided numerous extensions to this timescale where requested by owners.

The Scottish Government has not engaged in any such discussions with the City of Edinburgh Council's Mixed Tenure Improvement Service. Homeowners who have purchased properties under the Low Cost Initiative for First Time Buyers (LIFT) are able to participate in such improvements schemes in the same manner as other residents.

The prescribed Notice to Leave that landlords must use to end a private residential tenancy includes important information for tenants and signposts to a number of organisations, such as Citizens Advice Scotland and Shelter Scotland, should they need advice and support to understand their rights. It also directs tenants worried about having somewhere to live to contact their local authority to discuss their circumstances.

Local authorities are obliged by law to offer minimum of temporary accommodation, advice and assistance for people who are at risk or who are experiencing homelessness. They are best placed to provide advice on housing options and what further support they can offer.

For short assured or assured tenancies, the Notice to Quit landlords must use to end the tenancy advises tenants about getting legal advice or contacting organisations who provide housing support if they are unsure of the validity of the Notice. It advises that help with all or part of the cost of legal advice may be available under the legal aid legislation.

Scottish Government are providing up to £2 million this year to support the Early Resolution Advice Programme administered by the Scottish Legal Aid Board, which supports projects in the third sector, to provide assistance and representation for people at risk of, or facing court action related to debt and housing matters.

The interest rate is applicable to debt where private property owner occupiers pay back over an agreed period of time. The City of Edinburgh Council consider this a last resort for private property owners who may be able to source more favourable rates through re-mortgaging or external finance. This rate was agreed within the council in 2021 alongside the approval of the enhanced Scheme of Assistance and extension of the debt recovery terms. It is worth noting that interest rates were much lower in 2021.

The policy is aimed at getting the balance right for both the council and debtors whilst not encouraging owners to agree payment plans with the council by default. Debt recovery from owners for the works in Wester Hailes is very positive so far with 77% of debt paid or secured in payment plans.

The deployment of officers and staff is a matter for the Chief Constable, the Scottish Government does not hold this information.

The Scottish Government has provided a record £36m towards road safety in this year’s Scottish Budget. This funding has supported councils to improve safety on local roads, campaigns to tackle the behaviours identified as causing most harm on our roads, and the continued development of learning resources for children and young people.

The approach to the transport sector is consistent with other sectors in the Climate Change Plan (update) (CCPu) Securing a green recovery on a path to net zero: climate change plan 2018–2032 - update - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) which outlines a sectoral approach to meeting emission targets, it also recognises clear synergies and interdependencies across sectors. Part 2 of the CCP(u) outlines this coordinated approach, with specific reference to transport demand.

A key element of the Climate Change Plan update was the presentation of emissions envelopes for each sector annually over the period 2020 to 2032 and this includes the emissions envelope for the transport sector.

Our Net Zero Assessment aims to assist Ministers to make better informed decisions on budgets and policies by providing information on impacts on carbon emissions. Following completion of the current pilot within Scottish Government, it intends to roll the pilot out across all significant new Scottish Government expenditure decisions from the beginning of 2025.

Consistent with other sectors, transport sector policies and proposals will be included within the next Climate Change Plan covering the period of 2026-2040. The Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Bill, which was laid in Parliament on 5 September, seeks to amend the current deadline to bring forward a draft of the next Climate Change Plan for Scotland, so the Plan can align with the timescale for carbon budgets.

The Scottish Government has ensured that we have enhanced the support we are providing to new Scots in 2024-25, despite a very challenging financial context. We have provided over £3.8m of grant funding towards the delivery of the New Scots Refugee Integration Strategy in 2024-25.

Additionally, we continue to fund a number of third sector organisations to support refugee integration. This funding totals £488,000 in 2024-25.

This investment represents an increase in the funding the Scottish Government has provided in previous years, to mitigate the impact of the end of EU funding.

The Scottish Government is committed to providing over £3.8m of grant funding towards the delivery of the New Scots Refugee Integration Strategy in 2024-25. This includes funding for Scottish Refugee Council to provide a comprehensive, nationwide Refugee Support Service. There is also funding made available to progress a Family Reunion service with the British Red Cross, a contribution to the continuation of Bridges Programme's Refugee Doctors Project, and partner resourcing to ensure actions they are responsible for delivering are progressed.

Additionally, we continue to fund a number of third sector organisations to support refugee integration. This funding totals £488,000 in 2024-25, with a number of these organisations working to the outcomes of the New Scots Refugee Integration Strategy.

The Scottish Government has kept fares comparatively lower, on average, than across the rest of GB network, and this has been the case for over a decade.

ScotRail offers a range of products and discounts to its passengers to make rail travel more affordable in Scotland.