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The Scottish Government will publish a Framework to challenge men’s demand for prostitution and to support those with experience of it, early this year. The Framework will form part of Scotland’s collective approach to tackling commercial sexual exploitation and is cognisant of its links to Scotland’s Trafficking and Exploitation Strategy.

Once published, our focus will be on the delivery of the Framework, which will also improve access to support for women with experience of prostitution, with the implementation of it helping to inform any future legislative considerations.

As this is an operational matter for Scottish Water, I have asked them to respond. Their reply is as follows:

Scottish Water’s aim is to operate at the economic level of leakage at water supply zone level, taking account of the costs of treating water and the costs of leakage detection and pipe repair. Since 2007, Scottish Water has reduced leakage by over half to under 500ML/d and, following a refresh of its assessment in 2020, Scottish Water is now progressing towards a leakage level of 408Ml/d.

Scottish Water also carries out wider assessments of long-term supply and demand positions for water resources on a water supply zone basis, looking over a 25 year period and taking into account growth, population change and predicted impacts of climate change. Where zones are identified as at risk, Scottish Water takes this into account when assessing the economic level of leakage for a zone, with demand reduction (leakage and customer water efficiency) being its first activity, before considering supply side increases.

The Drinking Water Quality Regulator for Scotland publishes an Annual report which contains information on the numbers of private water supplies and the quality of water supplied. The information provided is broken down by Local Authority. The most recent information relates to 2022 and is available at https://dwqr.scot/media/bv4go0kc/pws-annual-report-2022-november-2023.pdf

The latest Private Sector Rent Statistics for Scotland show how rents charged by private landlords in Scotland have been rising for more than a decade, and are yet more evidence of the importance of taking action to make rents more affordable. There is no one solution to addressing housing affordability and our work to introduce long term controls as part of the next Housing Bill is one measure being taken forward.

The emergency Act provides Scottish Ministers with the ability to temporarily modify how rent increases referred by a tenant are adjudicated. Any proposed modification would be subject to the approval of the Scottish Parliament. Any changes made to the adjudication process would be intended to smooth the transition out of the rent cap and protect tenants from steep rent increases which could be experienced if there is a sudden move to open market rent from rent levels that have been supressed.

We are currently consulting with stakeholders on the proposed approach to modifying the rent adjudication process and will publish further information in due course.

The Scottish Government and the Scottish Funding Council continue to support universities in developing their own mitigating strategies to minimise any negative impacts on long-term financial sustainability. This includes any reduction in international student fee income.

Within the context of a challenging international environment and stricter UK Government immigration rules, the Scottish Government remains committed to working with the university sector to ensure that Scotland remains the destination of choice for international students, demonstrated by our commitment to launching Scotland’s International Education Strategy early in 2024. We have engaged closely with key stakeholders, including universities, to develop the strategy, which will focus on three key themes: attracting and diversifying the international student population; maximising the economic benefits of international higher education; and promoting Scotland as a world leader in research and knowledge exchange.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-23845 on 11 January 2024. 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 emergency Cost of Living (Tenant Protection)(Scotland) Act 2022 placed a temporary pause on the enforcement of evictions to help to reduce the negative impacts on the health and wellbeing of tenants caused by being evicted and/or being made homeless during the cost crisis. However, the Act allows the enforcement of eviction orders to proceed in limited circumstances. This includes cases of anti-social behaviour and criminality, to protect other tenants and the local community, cases of abandonment, to avoid empty properties, and to support landlords who find themselves in financial hardship or facing substantial rent arrears.

Ongoing reporting on the Act shows there has been a limited impact on the number of private landlords seeking to evict a tenant and there is no suggestion that the overall rate of evictions will rise following the expiry of Part 1 of the Act.

Prior to the introduction of the Act, private tenants in Scotland already benefitted from some of the strongest protections in the UK. This includes the strict legal processes that private landlords and their agents must follow to evict a tenant – failure to do so is a criminal offence, and tenants can assert their rights without fear of eviction.

It is vitally important that tenants are made aware of the existing rights afforded to them by the Private Residential Tenancy. Therefore, a key part of our work in advance of the emergency Act coming to an end, will be to raise awareness of those rights with private tenants as we support a transition away from the emergency measures.

The Cost of Living (Tenant Protection) (Scotland) Act 2022 was introduced to provide additional protections to tenants through the worst of the cost of living crisis, and we have always been clear that the measures are timebound and temporary. Prior to the introduction of the Act, private tenants in Scotland already benefitted from some of the strongest protections in the UK, and tenants will continue to benefit from the strong legal protections introduced by The Private Housing (Tenancies) (Scotland) Act 2016. In addition, the Coronavirus (Recovery and Reform) (Scotland) Act 2022 further strengthened tenants’ rights by requiring private landlords who are seeking to evict on the basis of rent arrears, to comply with certain specified actions prior to pursuing eviction. The Tribunal, in assessing the reasonableness of eviction in such cases, is also required to consider the extent to which the landlord complied with these new requirements. This enhanced protection has been in place since 1 October 2022.

In terms of support for tenants regarding housing costs, in 2023-24 we have invested over £83 million in Discretionary Housing Payments; a vital tool to reduce poverty, safeguard tenancies and prevent homelessness. In 2024-25 we will make over £90 million available, mitigating UK Government cuts such as the bedroom tax and benefit cap.

This year’s Programme for Commitment commits to go further to enhance the rights of tenants, and a Housing Bill will be brought to Parliament in this parliamentary year to deliver a New Deal for Tenants.

We are also consulting with stakeholders on the proposed approach to temporarily modifying the rent adjudication process, to prevent unintended consequences when the emergency measures come to an end.

SEPA, along with other environment bodies, plays a pivotal role in protecting and maintaining a safe, healthy and sustainable environment for the people of Scotland. This is achieved through funding from Scottish Government alongside SEPA’s regulatory activities funded by cost recovery under the principle of polluter pays.

Since 2014-15 SEPA’s budget has increased. Even accounting for inflation, they are receiving an additional £3 million in 2024-25 than in 2014-15.

The budget settlement for 2024-25 announced on 19 December recognises the increasing level and quality of work being delivered by SEPA which is why despite such challenging financial circumstances, the organisation will benefit from a 5% uplift on the 23/24 budget allocation to its core funding, bringing its core budget to £52.6m in 2024-25.

More information on the budget announcement can be found here: Scottish Budget: 2024 to 2025 - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

Nonetheless, the Scottish Government continue to work with all public bodies to drive out efficiencies, finding new and better ways of working, creating best value for the Scottish taxpayer. In the case of SEPA, the Scottish Government work with them on the development of corporate and annual operating plans and Ministers meet regularly to discuss progress. This assessment process is therefore continual and SEPA is ultimately accountable to the Scottish Parliament.

As announced on the 19 December 2023 by the Deputy First Minister, Scotland’s key environmental agencies will all benefit from uplifts in resource funding in 2024-25. This additional funding recognises the increasing role they play in tackling the climate and biodiversity crises and will support continued activity as we strive to meet stretching targets for Scotland.

More information on the budget can be found here: Scottish Budget: 2024 to 2025 - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)