Question reference: S6W-08238
- Date lodged: 26 April 2022
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Current status: Answered by Shona Robison on 5 May 2022
Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on whether it plans to provide Care and Repair with further funding, in addition to the £500,000 previously committed, to support older and vulnerable people to upgrade their fire alarms in line with new regulations, in light of reports that some people contacting Care and Repair for support are being told it has no funding available to support them with installing new fire alarms.
Answer
In order to support older and disabled people in meeting this new legislation, we have provided a total of £1.1 million in 2021-22 to Care and Repair Scotland.
We also provided £1 million to SFRS for their Home Fire Safety visits to help those most vulnerable to the risk of fire to meet the new standard. The general principle is that owners are responsible for the cost of looking after private property. Our targeted funding is reaching those most at risk and least able to do the work themselves. There are no currently plans to provide further funding.
The Scottish Government published a statement in partnership with COSLA on 21 January 2022 confirming that local authorities will take a proportionate and measured approach to compliance and individual circumstances will be taken into account.
Whilst we encourage homeowners to install these alarms at their earliest opportunity to protect lives and possessions, we have emphasised consistently that there will be no penalties for non-compliance.