Questions and answers

Question reference: S6W-01493

Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 July 2021
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 26 July 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to include the number of children in homeless households across all of the data that is reported in the Homelessness in Scotland statistics series.

The Homelessness in Scotland statistics series reports data from the HL1 (homelessness applications), HL2 (snapshot temporary accommodation) and HL3 (placement level temporary accommodation) data collections.

Information on the number of children within the household applying for homelessness support and in temporary accommodation is currently collected and reported on through the HL1 and HL2 collections respectively.

Data is published in the Homelessness in Scotland statistics series. Data is published on a 6-monthly basis, with the most recent publication relating to the annual data for 2020-21. Table 15 of the latest publication reports the number of children in homelessness applications and Table 27 reports the number of children in temporary accommodation as at the end of a quarter. A link to the latest publication can be found here:

Homelessness in Scotland: 2020 to 2021 - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

An additional question was added to the HL3 data collection in 2019 to gather information on the number of children living in temporary accommodation placements. However, not all local authorities have so far been able to provide this information as there is a lead in time required to update local authority management information systems and data extraction processes. Scottish Government are continuing to work closely with local authorities to assist with the provision of this data and understand timescales for when this can be made available.

Question reference: S6W-01413

Asked by: Alexander Burnett, MSP for Aberdeenshire West, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 13 July 2021
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 26 July 2021

To ask the Scottish Government whether, in the light of findings contained in the research report, Home Truths, which was published in 2020 by the Scottish Home Education Forum and Home Education Scotland, it will take forward (a) some or (b) all of the 16 evidence-based recommendations in the forthcoming review of statutory home education guidance.

As the Deputy First Minister set out in his answer to S5W-33331 on 2 December 2020, officials continue to actively engage a range of stakeholders on issues relevant to home education guidance, and will listen to the views of all stakeholders in the preparation of the guidance.

The guidance will set out the legal position on home education and further information on the roles and responsibilities for home educators and for local authorities in relation to home education; and to support and encourage the collaborative development of relationships based on mutual trust and respect that function in the best interests of the child.

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

Question reference: S6W-01415

Asked by: Alexander Burnett, MSP for Aberdeenshire West, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 13 July 2021
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 26 July 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what training it will commission to ensure that local authorities take regard of statutory guidance and recognise home education as a key parental choice with equal status in law to local authority or independent schooling.

Question reference: S6W-01365

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 12 July 2021
Current Status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 26 July 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made by the HySeas III project in developing a hydrogen-powered ferry, and by what date it expects the subsequent delivery of (a) vessels and (b) infrastructure development on the public ferry network as a result of this.

The HySeas III project is the third development stage of the research programme and will build on the first two stages by demonstrating that hydrogen fuel cells can be successfully integrated with a marine hybrid electric drive system (electric propulsion, control gear, batteries, etc.), along with the associated hydrogen storage and bunkering arrangements.

The project recently took a step forward with the award of a commercial contract to develop a design concept for the innovative vessel in June 2021. The contract has been awarded to Aqualisbraemar LOC Group by Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL), one of the partners in the programme.

As a concept proof project it does not include either vessel build or infrastructure development on the public ferry network at this time and therefore no timescales for these are available.

Question reference: S6W-01291

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 07 July 2021
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 26 July 2021

To ask the Scottish Government by what date the breast cancer self-referral scheme for over-70s will resume.

The option for women aged 71 and over to self-refer for a breast screening appointment will resume once capacity in all screening centres returns to pre-Covid or close to pre-Covid levels. This is based on the recommendation of the Scottish Screening Committee, the National Screening Oversight and the Breast Screening Programme Board, all three of whom are keeping the situation under regular review. They are also working closely with Health Boards to increase appointments and meet this criteria as soon as possible. We continue to emphasise that everyone should remain symptom aware and report any symptoms to their GP immediately for these to be investigated.

Question reference: S6W-01341

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 08 July 2021
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 26 July 2021

To ask the Scottish Government whether it can confirm that no charges will be introduced for COVID-19 lateral flow tests, and for how long free lateral flow test kits will be available to the public.

On 26 April free lateral flow device (LFD) test kits were made available to everyone in Scotland, for twice-weekly asymptomatic COVID-19 testing via the universally accessible testing offer. In addition to this, free LFD test kits are available through the Scottish Government’s targeted asymptomatic testing programme which includes routine testing for:

health care workers
educational staff, senior phase pupils and HE/FE students
prioritised workforces in the public sector and in critical national infrastructure
high risk private sector settings such as food processing businesses

Free access to LFD test kits has been extended through the summer period until September, when a formal review will be undertaken by the Scottish Government. Workforce testing is currently being expanded and as now is open to all private sector organizations with more than ten employees.

The Scottish Government has no immediate plans to charge for LFD tests.

Question reference: S6W-01301

Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 08 July 2021
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 26 July 2021

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will continue to provide free COVID-19 lateral flow tests (a) until and (b) after 9 August 2021.

On 26 April free lateral flow device (LFD) test kits were made available to everyone in Scotland, for twice-weekly asymptomatic COVID-19 testing via the universally accessible testing offer. In addition to this, free LFD test kits are available through the Scottish Government’s targeted asymptomatic testing programme which includes routine testing for:

health care workers
educational staff, senior phase pupils and HE/FE students
prioritised workforces in the public sector and in critical national infrastructure
high risk private sector settings such as food processing businesses

Free access to LFD test kits has been extended through the summer period until September, when a formal review will be undertaken by the Scottish Government. Workforce testing is currently being expanded to all private sector organizations with more than ten employees.

Question reference: S6W-01299

Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 08 July 2021
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 26 July 2021

To ask the Scottish Government how many mid-market rent properties it has subsidised that had a starting rent level exceeding the relevant Local Housing Allowance rate in each of the last five years, also broken down by (a) local authority area and (b) More Homes Division Area Office.

The Scottish Government subsidised a total of 3,595 mid-market rent properties which were completed by Registered Social Landlords between 2016-17 and 2021-22. The following table shows the number which had a starting rent level exceeding the relevant Local Housing Allowance broken down by local authority area and More Homes Division Area team.

Year	Local Authority	Area Team	No of Units (MMR)
2016-17	Glasgow City Council	Glasgow and Clyde	139
2017-18	Glasgow City Council	Glasgow and Clyde	21
2018-19	Glasgow City Council	Glasgow and Clyde	46
2019-20	Glasgow City Council	Glasgow and Clyde	155
2021-22	Glasgow City Council	Glasgow and Clyde	90
Total			451

Question reference: S6W-01093

Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 25 June 2021
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 26 July 2021

To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) people and (b) households in each local authority area have had access to a community alarm in each year since 1999.

The information you have requested on the number of people who have a community alarm is set out below. We do not gather information on the number of households that this applies to so we cannot provide this information. There also wasn't a national collection pre 2011, so all existing data is included below.

Number of people with Community alarms (at March Census)					Number of people with Community alarms (during financial year)			Number of people with Community alarms (during financial year)
Council	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2017/18	2018/19
Aberdeen City	1,790	1,770	1,070	1,490	2,270	1,510	2,800	2,685	2,555
Aberdeenshire	2,520	2,370	2,460	2,470	2,810	5,390	5,370	5,220	5,155
Angus	3,700	3,140	2,720	2,650	3,450	2,620	2,620	3,725	3,810
Argyll & Bute	1,490	1,510	1,490	1,560	2,020	2,170	2,170	2,100	2,520
City of Edinburgh	7,310	7,090	6,370	8,110	9,400	8,580	10,430	10,340	11,685
Clackmannanshire	1,270	1,420	1,480	1,400	1,700	1,780	1,830	1,850	1,835
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar	880	610	550	680	690	1,150	1,060	1,140	1,165
Dumfries & Galloway	2,220	2,390	2,140	1,860	2,420	2,740	3,460	3,720	3,890
Dundee City	4,300	4,960	5,780	5,700	5,670	5,350	5,940	6,050	5,825
East Ayrshire	3,140	2,640	3,090	3,140	3,780	3,780	3,750	2,540	3,940
East Dunbartonshire	1,920	2,010	2,180	2,040	2,430	1,380	1,550	1,040	1,520
East Lothian	1,730	140	0	2,610	3,170	3,220	3,220	2,470	925
East Renfrewshire	1,600	1,410	1,090	1,900	(Data suppressed due to disclosure policy)	840	2,580	(ESTIMATE) 3,690	(ESTIMATE) 3,280
Falkirk	3,650	3,510	4,220	4,120	4,980	4,870	4,910	4,655	4,715
Fife	5,780	5,740	6,030	6,050	8,640	9,310	9,600	9,535	9,960
Glasgow City	15,060	13,720	15,080	10,570	7,520	8,970	9,400	9,655	9,945
Highland	810	3,830	4,330	4,300	3,650	3,550	2,500	2,680	2,780
Inverclyde	1,880	2,050	2,110	2,050	(Data suppressed due to disclosure policy)	2,460	3,120	3,375	3,115
Midlothian	1,220	1,140	1,100	740	1,050	1,040	1,030	1,020	1,010
Moray	1,480	1,360	1,430	1,460	1,790	1,800	1,830	1,835	1,925
North Ayrshire	2,690	2,900	2,930	3,040	3,570	3,590	4,080	4,285	4,635
North Lanarkshire	12,070	11,100	11,340	11,840	14,230	11,820	7,670	9,605	10,445
Orkney Islands	490	550	570	660	710	490	740	565	565
Perth & Kinross	2,110	2,530	2,590	2,200	2,460	3,260	3,220	3,310	3,440
Renfrewshire	2,580	2,180	2,530	3,020	2,890	2,870	3,430	2,920	3,815
Scottish Borders	3,510	3,730	3,830	2,810	2,870	2,770	2,480	2,400	2,400
Shetland Islands	700	720	610	610	600	570	670	610	635
'South Ayrshire	1,980	1,890	2,230	1,990	1,900	2,340	2,650	2,805	3,180
'South Lanarkshire	7,720	8,560	8,220	8,470	8,450	8,600	8,390	8,390	8,390
'Stirling	1,760	1,820	1,860	1,940	2,410	2,460	2,540	2,610	2,620
'West Dunbartonshire	1,520	1,630	2,200	2,290	2,590	2,810	2,890	2,500	2,805
'West Lothian	3,880	4,710	4,800	5,190	5,870	5,820	6,130	(ESTIMATE) 5,425	(ESTIMATE) 5,140
Scotland	105,610	108,690	108,920	108,920	119,790	119,870	124,040	124,760	129,625

Question reference: S6W-01077

Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 28 June 2021
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 26 July 2021

To ask the Scottish Government how many homeless people have accessed emergency healthcare in each year since 1999.

The exact information requested is not available centrally. The following table shows number of people reported on HL1 applications. applying for Local Authority assistance and presenting as homeless or threatened with homelessness, each year between 2016-17 and 2019-20 and their attendance at Accident and Emergency Departments in the 6 months before and after assessment decision date. The information presented is limited to 11 Local Authorities and the years shown.

The information in the table below will also exclude any homeless people or rough sleepers who attended Accident and Emergency Departments, but did not apply for Local Authority homelessness assistance.

Table 1: A&E attendances in the period before and after HL1 assessment decision date by financial year of the decision date.

		2016-17	2017-18	2018-19	2019-20
Number of people reported on HL1 applications (based on 11 Local Authorities) 1		15,920	18,670	19,522	18,832
A&E attendances in 6 months before assessment decision date	Number of people with at least one attendance	3,726	4,322	4,701	4,674
A&E attendances in 6 months before assessment decision date	Number of attendances 2	6,719	7,743	8,623	8,807
A&E attendances in 6 months after assessment decision date	Number of people with at least one attendance	3,726	4,348	4,805	4,319
A&E attendances in 6 months after assessment decision date	Number of attendances 2	6,813	7,697	9,039	7,912

1. Local Authorities included are: City of Edinburgh, East Ayrshire, East Lothian, East Renfrewshire, Fife, Inverclyde, Midlothian, Na h-Eileanan Siar, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire and West Dunbartonshire.

2. A person could have more than one A&E attendance in the period before or after the assessment decision date.

Source: Public Health Scotland

In June 2018, the Scottish Government published findings from the Health and Homelessness in Scotland Research Project. The full report is available at this link:

Health and homelessness in Scotland: research - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

The research showed that 435,853 people in households assessed as homeless or threatened with homelessness by Scottish Local Authorities, between June 2001 and November 2016, accounted for 1.16 million accident and emergency attendances over the period of January 2011 to December 2016. Some individuals will have experienced several accident and emergency attendances, whereas others may not have experienced any. This publication did not separately report how many of these 435,853 people experienced an accident and emergency attendance.

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