Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government recognises the important role that bank branches play in Scottish communities. Despite financial services regulation being reserved to the UK Government, we have sought to engage with the banking sector following decisions they have made to close Scottish branches in recent years.

Through these engagements Ministers have reiterated the importance of bank branches to individuals and local businesses across Scotland - particularly for our rural and island communities, vulnerable individuals and digitally excluded consumers. We have also sought assurances that impacted employees from branch closures would be offered roles elsewhere in the business should they want them. Banks have confirmed they make regular contact with affected customers to inform them of the alternative services available to them, including through initiatives such as shared Bank Hubs, improved Post Office services and Community Bankers.

Most recently, I met with Lloyds Banking Group (LBG) on the 27th of June following the company's announcement to close 17 Bank of Scotland branches. LBG emphasised the support that they are providing communities and expressed their willingness to work with local representatives to ensure that the support provided is sufficient for the local area. Officials are also working with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to arrange a meeting between myself and Nikhil Rathi, Chief Executive of the FCA, to discuss the work of the FCA in Scotland with a focus on understanding how the unique cash access requirements of Scottish communities and businesses are being addressed.

It is the statutory duty of local authorities to manage and maintain their own buildings. Scottish Government officials continue to engage with local authorities affected by reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete.

Ministers have not met with universities and colleges to discuss RAAC. Scottish Government and the Scottish Funding Council officials have met on three occasions to discuss this matter, the last meeting of which was held on 5th July.

The Health & Safety Executive, instructed by the UK Government, are developing a research methodology to assist with identification, assessment and remediation of RAAC. We will consider any steps required to be taken to ensure that students are not impacted by any universities or colleges that have to close any of their campus buildings due to the presence of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete.

In the meantime, officials are working closely with the Scottish Funding Council in relation to this matter. The Scottish Funding Council is planning to provide guidance, prepared by authoritative organisations, to colleges and universities as soon as possible.

The Scottish Government recognises the importance of establishing mechanisms at a Scottish, as well as UK, level to support awareness and action on this issue across many sectors within the built environment.

Discovery of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) and mitigation including on funding will be reported to relevant Ministers, directly where necessary, and through the Building and Fire Safety Ministerial Working Group.

Officials continue to work closely with relevant partners including the Scottish Funding Council, other public sector bodies and the wider structural engineering community in relation to this matter, including funding.

Building Regulations in the UK are the responsibility of the UK Government in England, the Welsh Assembly in Wales, the Northern Ireland Executive in Northern Ireland and the Scottish Government in Scotland. Whilst all regulations are similar throughout the UK the key differences in relation to flammable cladding are:

• the ban of flammable cladding in Scotland applies at a lower height of 11m compared with 18m in the rest of the UK; and
• the legislation in England was amended to extend the ban of flammable cladding to hotels, hostels and boarding houses from 1 December 2022.

The next review of fire safety regulations in Scotland is due to commence later this year where we will consider these matters and other relevant developments further.

The Scottish Government continue to engage with public sector and private sector bodies, and we have also received a request for financial support from another local authority.

Building safety is a matter for the owner acting in accordance with the relevant health and safety legislation. Before any decisions can be taken on funding, it is important to understand the scope and nature of the issue.

We do not hold any information on the presence of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete in current social or private housing developments. Building safety is a matter for the building owner, acting in accordance with the relevant legislation.

The Scottish Government has committed to consulting on a Learning Disability, Autism and Neurodiversity Bill by the end of this year. The Bill will aim to ensure that the rights of people with Down’s Syndrome, among others, are respected and protected.

An informal consultation took place last year as part of the scoping work for the Bill. The scoping report is available here: Learning Disability, Autism and Neurodiversity Bill: Scoping Analysis 2022 - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) . The Easy Read version is here: Learning Disability, Autism and Neurodiversity Bill: scoping work analysis 2022 - easy read - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) .

The formal public consultation will provide an opportunity for people across Scotland, including those with Down’s Syndrome and their families and supporters, to express their views on what the draft Bill should include.

The exact timing of the public consultation will be announced in due course.