Chamber and committees

There is no requirement to display the short term let licence at or on the premises. There is, however, a requirement to display a site notice at or near the premises for a period of 21 days from the submission of the application.

There is a right for members of the public to make representations or objections about applications, which may include referencing an applicant’s suitability as a fit and proper person to hold a short-term let licence. Therefore the site notice must contain the name and address of the applicant, the address of the short-term let premises and the names and addresses of the owners of the premises (if different from the applicant).

I met with representatives of the hospice sector on 3 October to discuss funding and the development of a new framework.

I have committed to holding a round table later this year to discuss the development of a framework with health and social care partnerships and independent hospices to support local planning, commissioning and funding of independent hospice care.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-21436 on 9 October 2023. 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 .

My thoughts are with the family and friends of the individual, who tragically died in September 2018 at Saughton Mains and it is regrettable that Edinburgh Trams Ltd have been found to have breached health and safety legislation through failures to properly assess risk to pedestrians at this location. Health and safety legislation is a reserved matter.

The Scottish Government have had no discussions with Edinburgh Trams Ltd following this ruling.

Since the introduction of the Low Carbon Skills Grant in 2021 the fund has supported a total of 293 heating and plumbing apprentices to be trained in heat pump installation. The fund has continued to grow in popularity and this is shown by the increase in yearly delivery figures provided in the following table:

In response to feedback from those with lived experience, we have funded the charity, Health in Mind, to establish specialist peer support groups for those affected by historic forced adoption.

The service launched for enquiries in August 2023 and is ready to offer support to mothers, adult adoptees and anyone else impacted by these historic practices. It is person centred, trauma informed and led by those with lived experience. At present, there have not been enough enquiries to create peer support groups. However, peer support is also being offered on an individual basis. Health in Mind, with the guidance of their lived experience advisory group, continue to promote the service and are focusing on the roll out of service information across Scotland.

We encourage people to consider whether this support might be of benefit to them. Further details of the service, volunteer opportunities and the meet the team events are available online: https://health-in-mind.org.uk/how-we-can-help/national-services/historic-adoption-trauma-support-service/

There were 17,425 all-sector new housebuilding starts during the 12 months to June 2023. We are aware of the global issues affecting construction which are impacting the pace of housing delivery and are working closely with the construction industry and housing partners to mitigate this where possible.

We are pleased that all-sector new housebuilding completions of 23,346 are at their highest annual, year to end June rate, since 2008. This is an increase of 7% (1,481 homes) on last year, as reported on in the latest set of Scottish Government Quarterly Housing Statistics published on 12 September 2023.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-21563 on 5 October 2023. 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

The Scottish Government will reflect carefully on the recommendations made the Trams Public Inquiry and consider if improvements can be made in the process and procedures surrounding Public Inquiries. The Scottish Government already has work in hand to produce guidance along the lines suggested by Lord Hardie as well as work to improve the support offered by Scottish Government to inquiries.

It is inappropriate to comment on live proceedings or speculate on any possible outcomes and how they will be managed. The Scottish Government’s response to any challenges to Scotland’s Low Emission Zones will be considered on a case by case basis.