Chamber and committees

If changes are proposed as an outcome of the review, the Scottish Government will consider the most appropriate way to engage stakeholders and seek views on any proposals.

Our most recently published homelessness statistics provide information about households with main applicants aged 65 and over:

• They account for 3% of all homelessness applications; this compares to 25% of the Scottish adult (16+) population being 65+.
• They are less likely to report rough sleeping and repeat homelessness than other age groups.
• They have a lower take up of temporary accommodation – 44% compared to 60%-72% for other age groups. They also spend less time, on average, in temporary accommodation compared to other age groups (181 days compared to 237 days, nationally).
• They have the highest proportion across all groups securing settled accommodation as an outcome – 86% compared to 83%, nationally.

We recognise the specific housing challenges that may face those who are aged 65 and over, both in accessing suitable housing and in sustaining tenancies.

Anyone at risk of or experiencing homelessness in Scotland is entitled to support from their local authority. We are strengthening existing rights by introducing new homelessness prevention duties as part of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2025.

Those aged 65 and over who claim benefits and are experiencing difficulty meeting their housing costs may be eligible for a Discretionary Housing Payment. This year we are making a record £115 million available to local authorities to spend on Discretionary Housing Payments.

We are increasing the supply of accessible and adapted homes, improving choice and building more homes that are sufficiently flexible to meet the needs of people as they change over time.

More broadly. we are introducing an older person’s strategy, due to be published in 2027. Through the Older People's Strategic Action Forum, we are working directly with organisations representing older people across Scotland to ensure that the experiences and priorities of older people help shape policy development across Government, including in areas such as housing, independent living and tackling poverty.

The Scottish Government recognises the important role that specialist advice, capacity and expertise can play in enabling communities to develop and deliver their own housing projects, particularly in rural and island areas.

We are actively engaging with Communities Housing Trust to understand the implications of its decision and consider potential support, including how communities can continue to access the support needed to progress community-led housing projects.

The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that older people who are digitally excluded, or at risk of poverty, can access the social security and financial support to which they are entitled, including those living in rural, remote and island communities.

To support this, Social Security Scotland offers a range of application and support channels, with individuals able to apply for devolved benefits by telephone, by post or face-to-face, as well as online. In addition, its Local Delivery service provides personalised support, including assistance with completing benefit applications and connecting people with wider sources of advice and support in their local area.

This approach helps to address both digital and geographical barriers to accessing support and is complemented by a range of communications activity to increase awareness of available financial assistance.

The Scottish Government also funds welfare and debt advice organisations and projects that provide access to advice and support across Scotland, including through Citizens Advice Scotland and local Citizens Advice Bureaux.

Our Benefit Take-Up Strategy 2026–2031, laid in Parliament on 21 October, sets out how we will build on activity to date, including progressing data sharing and developing more joined-up public services.

A letter was sent to COSLA by former Cabinet Secretary for Housing, Ms McAllan, on 6 May 2026, which gave clear direction to local authorities, to use powers given them in Section 315 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987 to create byelaws that maintain accommodation standards for seasonal workers.

Following this direction, my officials met with COSLA officers in relation to the introduction of byelaws by local authorities, and the support from the Scottish Government that may be required by local authorities to progress this important matter.

My officials also met with an Angus Council officer to discuss the process of creating byelaws on seasonal worker accommodation.

I wrote to COSLA on 22nd October, which reiterates my view that the most effective course of action is for local authorities to use their powers to create byelaws. My letter also requested an update on engagement between COSLA and local authorities and the anticipated timescales for progressing this matter.

I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-04056 on 22 October 2026 . Local authorities can, and are, using existing compulsory purchase powers to bring empty homes back into use. The Scottish Government is also reforming and modernising Scotland's compulsory purchase system to make it simpler, more streamlined and fairer, and have committed to legislate for the proposed reforms during this Parliament, as set out in the Programme for Government.

Not all action on empty homes requires legislative reform and in 2026-27 we are investing £2 million to continue to drive down the number of empty homes.

Compulsory lease powers would need to be carefully and fully considered against a complex practical and legal background, including compatibility with the European Convention on Human Rights. Taking into account the responses to the Scottish Government’s ‘Compulsory Purchase Reform in Scotland’ consultation, we will continue to monitor whether compulsory sale or lease powers could provide any additional benefits beyond a reformed compulsory purchase system.

All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers

Since its introduction in the Highlands and Islands, passengers have made an average saving of £7.32 per single journey through the £2 bus fare cap. In total, over £11.2 million has been claimed by operators as passenger savings through the £2 bus fare cap since its introduction in the Highlands and Islands.

Figures correct as of 28 September 2026. This figure varies over time as claims from different operators are processed.

Passenger savings data on the £2 fare cap scheme launched on 7 September 2026 in the Strathclyde area is not yet available.

The Scottish Government continues to seek opportunities that will ensure quality and value for money in the delivery of affordable homes in Scotland, including where wider adoption of standardised designs could deliver efficiencies. We draw on lessons learned from standardisation and collaborative procurement approaches in Scotland such as those undertaken by the Edinburgh Home Demonstrator project, and we will work with partners across government and industry, considering examples of best practice both in the UK and overseas.

A letter was sent to COSLA by former Cabinet Secretary for Housing, Ms McAllan, on 6 May 2026, which gave clear direction to local authorities, to use powers given them in Section 315 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987 to create byelaws that maintain accommodation standards for seasonal workers.

Following this direction, my officials met with COSLA officers in relation to the introduction of byelaws by local authorities, and the support from the Scottish Government that may be required by local authorities to progress this important matter.

My officials also met with an Angus Council officer to discuss the process of creating byelaws on seasonal worker accommodation.

I wrote to COSLA on 22nd October 2026, which reiterates my view that the most effective course of action is for local authorities to use their powers to create byelaws. My letter also requested an update on engagement between COSLA and local authorities and the anticipated timescales for progressing this matter.

Given that alcohol at football is governed by criminal legislation, I understand the assessment commissioned by the SPFL looked at supporter behaviour rather than the health impacts. The Scottish Government has had no involvement in any of these trials or the assessment of them.