Chamber and committees

The most recent figures, as of 1 June 2021, are available in Table 2 of the Non-Domestic Rates Relief Statistics 2021 publication, at https://www.gov.scot/publications/non-domestic-rates-relief-statistics-2021/ .

Adult Disability Payment launched as a three phased pilot starting with new claims being accepted in a small number of local authorities from 21 March. Phases two and three of the pilot have been rolled out with new claims being accepted from additional local authority areas from 20 June and then 25 July ahead of the full national launch on 29 August.

(a) Social Security Scotland has proactively promoted Adult Disability Payment through national and local media activity, stakeholder communications, social media along with more direct targeted activity. Although media and social media activity has been carried out on a national basis, the more direct marketing has been targeted to areas where Adult Disability Payment is available. Targeted activity in pilot areas has included campaigns across radio, social media, digital and local press print adverts. We are taking learning from campaigns running in the pilot areas and will build on this insight when promoting the payment on a national level.

Awareness raising has also included the delivery of an extensive series of stakeholder engagement events to inform third sector and public sector stakeholders of the roll out of Adult Disability Payment. To support stakeholders a range of marketing materials including leaflets, posters and factsheets are available. Versions of these materials are available in different formats such as easy read, British Sign Language (BSL) and language translations.

(b) Plans are in place for media activity at national launch and continue targeted marketing activity throughout this financial year to drive take up and awareness. This activity will target people through TV, radio, print adverts, out of home advertising, online adverts and social media. Social Security Scotland will also continue to work closely with public sector services and third sector organisations to promote this payment.

People in Scotland with existing UK Government disability assistance awards (Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Disability Living Allowance (DLA)) will not be asked to go through an application process again. They will be transferred automatically to Social Security Scotland and will receive written notification in advance of that happening so they know what to expect.

The Autism and Learning Disability Team engages regularly with HSCP leads across Scotland on their strategic approaches and why it is so important for them to increase capacity for autism diagnostic services and to redesign services which are sustainable. We do this on an individual basis and also through the networks of Social Work Scotland.

HSCPs are aware of the actions identified in the current “Towards Transformation” plan for autism and learning disabilities. This includes action on post diagnostic support for adults and the piloting in 4 HSCP areas of a single adult neurodevelopmental pathway. We continue working with the National Autism Implementation Team (NAIT) who help build capacity and expertise, acting as a bridge between national strategy and its implementation at local level by providing a hub of professional autism support and information. The Scottish Government provide funding to a number of charities to provide post diagnostic support locally, linking with HSCP service leads.

HSCP leads are linked into our leadership and engagement framework in partnership with people with lived experience focusing on the topic of mental health. In addition, we will be working with HSCPs as we scope out the work towards a Bill to introduce a commissioner for Autism, learning disabilities and people with neurodivergence.

Since 1 October 2021 the Scottish Government has funded Elect Her through the Equality and Human Rights (EHR) fund to increase the level of women’s political representation. Their annual EHR funding is approximately £106k of which £250 is used for website hosting. Other elements of their funded work include the creation of an online learning platform and running online workshops.

All organisations funded through the EHR Fund provide progress updates to the fund manager, Inspiring Scotland, every six months. We know that Elect Her supported 58 women in the 2022 Scottish local elections and 27 of them were elected.

Section 70 of the Education (Scotland) Act 1980 provides that any interested party can make a complaint to the Scottish Ministers that a responsible body has failed to discharge a statutory duty relating to education.

Following investigation of the complaint, Scottish Ministers may make an order declaring the responsible body to be in default of the duty and requiring them to discharge the duty by a specified date.

Information about the number and outcome of section 70 complaints since 2011 can be found at: Section 70 Complaints and Outcomes: FOI release - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

Scottish Government support for PAS enables community groups across the country access to planning advice on a wide range of matters which may be of concern to them, including wind farm developments.

The experience of Reporters who hold inquiries in relation to planning cases is that they regularly find the evidence given by community groups and other unrepresented groups to be well presented and relevant to the case and is almost always relevant to the Reporter’s considerations. The insight provided by such groups or individuals is often of great assistance to Reporters in gauging the likely acceptability or otherwise of local impacts.

Since 2020-21, the Scottish Government has provided funding for all Saltire Scholarship programme students; this consisted of 100% non-EU students in 2020-21 and for 2021-22 the breakdown was 88% EU students and 12% non-EU students.

Since 2020-21, the Scottish Government has allocated funding levels of £2,650,000 for all Saltire Scholarship programme students; this consisted of £200,000 in 2020-21 and £2,450,000 in 2021-22.

It is essential that care home staff and residents are comfortable in their environment and this includes mitigating against the effects of heat. Care providers including care homes are therefore expected to take steps to ensure that the environment is suitable for both staff and residents. This is outlined in the Health and Social Care Standards which set out what people should expect when using a Health or Social Care service in Scotland. Standard 5.21 requires care homes to “provide plenty of natural light and fresh air and that lighting, ventilation and heating can be properly adjusted”. The Care Inspectorate regularly assess a care home against their application of the Standards.

In view of the recent high temperatures, the Care Inspectorate issued advice to all care providers of adult services about steps that should be taken to maintain safe temperatures and mitigate the effects of heat. This included ensuring people are kept cool, well hydrated and drinking plenty of fluids and using cold compresses to keep people cool. The information provided also included a link to the recent UK Governments’ Department for Health and Social Care and Health Security updated heatwave advice for Health and Social Care staff. It includes advice both on caring for people most at risk during a heatwave, and on organising others who provide care. This advice is available here: www.gov.uk/government/publications/heatwave-plan-for-england/supporting-vulnerable-people-before-and-during-a-heatwave-for-health-and-social-care-professionals

Public Health Scotland’s COVID-19 - information and guidance for social, community and residential care settings, provides detailed advice on the importance of good ventilation in indoor spaces to reduce the risk of COVID-19 spreading. The guidance also sets out steps to safely maintain adequate room temperatures for the comfort of staff and residents. This includes maximising fresh air during hot weather, wherever possible through natural ventilation - opening windows, vents and doors (excluding fire doors). Where buildings have mechanical ventilation systems, these can maximise the amount of fresh air being introduced and minimise the recirculation of air in rooms and throughout buildings. This advice is available here: www.publichealthscotland.scot/publications/covid-19-information-and-guidance-for-social-community-and-residential-care-settings/covid-19-information-and-guidance-for-social-community-and-residential-care-settings-version-22/

The Health and Safety Executive ventilation in the workplace guidance also provides practical steps on improving ventilation. This advice is available here: www.hse.gov.uk/ventilation/overview.htm . The UK Health Security Agency recommends keeping room temperature to at least 18ºC as temperatures below this can affect health, especially in those who are 65 years or older, or have a long-term health condition and they published information ahead of the recent heatwave here: ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2022/07/14/staying-safe-in-extreme-heat/

The Care Inspectorate has produced guidance for service providers around design, planning and construction considerations for new or converted care homes for adults. This guidance includes information on ventilation of adult care homes and is available here: Care Homes for Adults – The Design Guide.pdf (careinspectorate.com) .

We have engaged extensively with people with neurological conditions, and organisations which represent them, throughout the development of Adult Disability Payment. Also, during the process of passing the Social Security (Scotland) Act 2018, it was decided that private sector health assessments would not take place in the devolved social security system. Social Security Scotland makes entitlement decisions based on the individual’s account of the impact of their disability or condition and other supporting information. This includes information from people’s wider support network, in order to understand the full range of needs someone with a neurological condition has over a period of time.

Social Security Scotland do not carry out any functional examinations because they do not provide reliable information, particularly in relation to neurological conditions as needs can fluctuate over time. Instead, consultations are a conversation between the practitioner and the client, starting from a position of trust.