Chamber and committees

The intention behind setting a condition of a minimum number of bedrooms within Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA), is to clearly distinguish PBSA accommodation from large flats let to students by landlords who are not PBSA providers. During the passage of the Private Housing (Tenancies) (Scotland) Bill through Parliament, a Stage Three amendment was brought forward which saw the minimum number of bedrooms within the definition of PBSA, increase from 15 to 30.

Research, at the time, found that the smallest PBSA building in Scotland housed
‎ 35 students and therefore a minimum of 30 bedrooms was found to be a reasonable limit in order to distinguish PBSA from normal Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) properties, that students often share. Landlords of students who live in properties in the mainstream private rented sector (including HMOs) do not have the same obligations as PBSA landlords to provide term time accommodation for Higher and Further Education Institutions. Students living in mainstream rented properties are not a homogenous group, and so Parliament confirmed the Scottish Government’s policy approach that they must be afforded the same level of security as other tenants living in the sector.

The Scottish Government currently have no plans to amend section 5(4)(b) of Schedule 1 of the Act.

Schedule 1 of the Private Housing (Tenancies) (Scotland) Act 2016 (‘the Act’) sets out a list of Tenancies which cannot be private residential tenancies ( http://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2016/19/schedule/1/enacted ).

The Private Residential Tenancy replaces the Assured Tenancy system set out in the Housing (Scotland) Act 1988. Accommodation provided to students by a specified educational institution was exempt from the Assured and Short Assured Tenancy regime under the terms of the 1988 Act, and this is the same under the 2016 Act. Purpose built student accommodation (PBSA) is also exempt from the private residential tenancy because it does not form part of the mainstream PRS, as PBSA providers effectively act as private providers of ‘halls of residence’ accommodation. This enables PBSA providers to continue to fulfil their obligations under nomination agreements to accommodate students from Higher and Further Education Institutions.

The specific provisions set out in the 2016 Act relating to PBSA are to ensure that only a specific type of student let is exempt from the new tenancy. The Act sets out that student accommodation is exempt if the planning permission for that accommodation stipulates that it has to be used predominately for housing students; and the provider of the accommodation has at least 30 bedrooms in one building, or as part of a complex. Any other student let, which does not have the characteristics as set out in Schedule 1 of the 2016 Act, will not be exempt from the private residential tenancy regime.

The matter of who a landlord lets to would be an individual issue for them to consider, taking into account any other restrictions or agreements which they or the property may be subject to.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-23664 on 13 June 2019. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx

Ocrevus (ocrelizumab) was accepted by the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) in December 2018 for restricted use in adult patients with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis where the patient has active disease.

The Scottish Government hopes to see a further submission from the manufacturer, Roche, to the SMC at the earliest opportunity for the primary progressive multiple sclerosis indication and we are aware that the SMC has been in regular contact with the manufacturer regarding their submission plans.

It should be noted that the decision to make a submission to the SMC is purely one for the manufacturer. SMC decisions are made independently of Ministers and the Scottish Parliament, which is important because it means that decisions on whether to accept newly licensed medicines are based on clinical and cost-effectiveness at a national population level for all Scotland.

The Scottish Government agrees with the College that there’s a need to enhance the quality, content and locations in which competency-based GP training is delivered, and work is already underway to deliver such improvements, within the existing GMC-approved 3 year training programme, with a particular focus on acquiring the relevant capabilities defined by the College and required by the GMC.

We are also supporting a number of pilots designed to enhance the competencies of GPs to assist them become more competent, confident practitioners with the skills to work within integrated care services. The emphasis is on GPs who have completed their training, thereby meeting the increasing demand for more flexible career options, complementing integrated service delivery models, and helping to support retention. The pilots will be evaluated and the results shared.

The Scottish Government also agrees with the need to increase the learning time medical undergraduates spend within GP practices, but this is dependent on a range of factors, and is an issue under active consideration by the increasing undergraduate education in primary care group Chaired by Dr John Gillies, and which is due to report shortly.

The SG agrees that access to the medical profession, including GP, must be widened.

That is why we are taking forward a number of actions that will contribute towards a more secure and sustainable medical workforce which is more representative of the communities it serves.

We have invested £23 million in the medical education package. 50 additional ring fenced widening access places focused on SIMD 20 applicants were added in 2016. Two pre-medical entry programmes for those from less advantaged backgrounds commenced in 2017 with 40 places. Places have been increased to 50 for 2019 following the success of the first year of the programme.

There is emerging evidence that that widening access students are more likely to proceed directly to specialty training and more likely to become GPs.

We agree that practices in deprived areas must be adequately represented in undergraduate and postgraduate training for GPs. That is why the SG offers 20K GPST bursaries for “hard to fill” posts. “Hard to fill” includes areas of socio-economic deprivation. 101 bursary posts filled in 2018, an increase of 41 from 2017.

In terms of undergraduate teaching, recommendations of the Increasing Undergraduate Education in Primary Care Group, chaired by Dr John Gillies, will be published shortly. The report will make recommendations with a view to increasing the number of undergraduate teaching practices including in areas of deprivation.

The SG has also funded 60 new places at Aberdeen and Glasgow Universities, both of which will offer placements in GP Deep End practices.

In order to avoid any conflict of interest there is a clear separation of duties between the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body and the Fund Trustees.  Under Schedule 1, Part B, Rule 8 of the Scottish Parliamentary Pensions Act 2009 (the 2009 Act) the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body is responsible for the appointment of Fund Trustees.  Under Schedule 1, Part D, Rule 32 of the 2009 Act the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body is also responsible for providing the funding for the employer pension contributions. 

Under Schedule 1, Part B, Rule 5 of the Scottish Parliamentary Pensions Act 2009, the Fund Trustees are responsible for the governance, management and administration of the Scheme and for the management of the Scheme's assets, including decisions around setting the Scheme's investment strategy.  I understand the Trustees discussed the investment strategy at their recent quarterly meeting.  Given their lead responsibility and the statutory position which requires them to operate independently of the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body, the Member might wish to raise this matter directly with the Fund Trustees.

The Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan set out that, if no action were taken, levels of child poverty in Scotland could rise to affect one in three children by 2030. The independent analysis behind these projections noted that the key reason for these projected increases was the announced UK Government cuts, primarily the benefit freeze and the two child limit. The impact of these cuts was predicted to be most acute in the period to 2020.

To address this challenge, we committed to a range of concrete action within our first Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan. This includes new support such as: a new minimum School Clothing Grant of at least £100 for every eligible child; a new Financial Health Check service, and; enhanced support through the Best Start Grant.

We will publish our first annual progress report by the end of this month and provide an update to Parliament on activity underway and future activity planned.

Under the Carers Act, young carers have the right to a personalised plan to identify what support they need. This could include the need for bereavement support where they are caring for someone with a terminal illness. We have just finished consulting on regulations to set priority timescales for preparing such plans for young carers in this situation.

Every Health and Social Care Partnership area must also now have a local information and advice service for carers. These must provide information and advice on a range of carers’ rights and support, including on bereavement support available to carers.

Furthermore, the Scottish Government has committed to appointing a National Childhood Bereavement Coordinator for Scotland over the next two years until April 2021. The position is currently being advertised and we hope to have someone in post before the end of the summer. The coordinator will act as the national champion for understanding the needs of all children who have experienced bereavement and work in partnership with key stakeholders to drive forward improvements in bereavement services support for children and young people across Scotland.