- Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 09 July 2019
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Current Status:
Answered by Kevin Stewart on 5 August 2019
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the publication of its Homelessness in Scotland: 2018 to 2019 statistics on 26 June 2019, for what reason the number of households not offered temporary accommodation in 2018-19 has risen by 10% nationally.
Answer
The increase in the number of households not offered temporary accommodation at a Scotland level is largely due to an increase of cases in Glasgow.
I met with Glasgow City Council on 25 June and agreed with them that a voluntary review will now be led by SG in partnership with the Council to tackle this issue. The review will consider practice in both Glasgow City Council and all other Local Authorities.
- Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 09 July 2019
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Current Status:
Answered by Kevin Stewart on 5 August 2019
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the publication of its Homelessness in Scotland: 2018 to 2019 statistics on 26 June 2019, what its response is to an increase in the number of instances that households were not provided with temporary accommodation.
Answer
On 25 June, I met with officials of Glasgow City Council to discuss the increased numbers recorded in Glasgow as failing to be offered temporary accommodation. It was agreed at the meeting to establish a team, led by Scottish Government, to complete a voluntary review into the reasons behind this data. Final details, including timescales, are currently being developed by Scottish Government in partnership with Glasgow City Council officials. A first meeting is planned for 2nd August.
- Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 09 July 2019
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Current Status:
Answered by Kevin Stewart on 5 August 2019
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the publication of its Homelessness in Scotland: 2018 to 2019 statistics on 26 June 2019, what its response is to the increase in homeless applicants leaving a violent/abusive household.
Answer
While the number of homelessness applications from people leaving previous accommodation due to violent or abusive dispute within the household has decreased by 26% over the last 10 years (2008-2009 to 2018-2019), the 3% increase in the most recent statistics published on the 26 th of June is disappointing.
We want to prevent homelessness as a result of a violent or abusive dispute within the household. Our Ending Homelessness Together Action Plan, published in November, includes our commitment to developing a pathway to prevent homelessness for survivors of domestic abuse. We are working with third sector partners to help us understand the reasons for the recent increase in applications and to scope the pathway. Work will complete next year.
- Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 09 July 2019
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Current Status:
Answered by Kevin Stewart on 5 August 2019
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the publication of its Homelessness in Scotland: 2018 to 2019 statistics on 26 June 2019, for what reason there has been a 3% increase in homeless applications since 2017-18.
Answer
The reason for the increase in homeless applications during 2018-19 compared to 2017-18 is unclear. There is a mixed picture across Scotland, with seventeen local authorities seeing a decrease in the number of homeless applications received and fifteen local authorities seeing an increase. Those that have seen the largest increases are Glasgow City, Fife, North Lanarkshire, East Ayrshire and South Ayrshire.
The causes of homelessness can often be complex and not the result of a single incident or event. During 2018-19 the most common main reason for submitting a homeless application was being asked to leave (25%), followed by dispute within household: non-violent (18%) and dispute within household: violent or abusive (13%). These three categories have remained the main reasons for making a homeless application for the past 6 years. During 2018-19, 67% of applicants cited additional reasons for applying, the proportion of applicants reporting additional reasons for making a homeless application has increased from 49% in 2013-14, indicating that more households are experiencing more complex scenarios which lead to homelessness.
Other factors such as welfare reform, increased awareness and better signposting of assistance available may also have an impact on the number of applications received.
- Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 09 July 2019
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Current Status:
Answered by Kevin Stewart on 5 August 2019
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the publication if its Homelessness in Scotland: 2018 to 2019 statistics, how it is engaging with the City of Edinburgh Council given that it accounts for 69% of breaches of the Unsuitable Accommodation Order in 2018-19.
Answer
Following the publication of our biannual homelessness statistics in January I wrote to City of Edinburgh Council about their breaches of the Order and subsequently met with them to discuss the circumstances around the breaches and the plans they have in place to ensure that unsuitable accommodation is not used going forward. I have written again to them following the publication of the full year statistics and requested a further meeting to discuss the progress they have made and explore what further they can do to ensure breaches do not occur again.
We launched a consultation on improving Temporary Accommodation Standards on 22 May which seeks views on extending the Unsuitable Accommodation Order to all homeless households. The consultation asks questions on whether sanctions should be introduced when local authorities breach the order.
- Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 09 July 2019
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Current Status:
Answered by Kevin Stewart on 5 August 2019
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the publication of its Homelessness in Scotland: 2018 to 2019 statistics on 26 June 2019, what its response is to the increase in homeless applicants who are veterans, and what the reasons are for this increase.
Answer
While over the last 10 years (2008-2009 to 2018-2019), there has been a 49% decrease in homelessness applications made by people formerly in the armed services, the 8 % increase in the most recent statistics published on the 26 th of June is disappointing.
We are not sure of the reasons for the increase in recent applications. It therefore serves as a reminder why tackling and preventing homelessness is a key priority for the Scottish Government. Our Ending Homelessness Together Action Plan, published in November, will transform how those at risk of homelessness receive help, this includes our commitment to developing a pathway to prevent homelessness for people with experience of the armed services.
As part of this work we will look to understand the reasons for the increase in recent applications by working with the Armed Forces community, while developing a prevention pathway for people with experience of the armed forces. We expect this work to complete next year.
- Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 09 July 2019
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Current Status:
Answered by Kevin Stewart on 5 August 2019
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the publication of its Homelessness in Scotland: 2018 to 2019 homelessness statistics on 26 June 2019, for what reason there has been a 2% increase in the number of households assessed as homeless or threatened with homelessness since 2017-18.
Answer
The increase in the number of households assessed as homeless or threatened with homelessness since 2017-18, is likely due to the increase in the number of applications over the same period. The number of homeless assessments has increased broadly in line with the number of homeless applications, which increased by 3%. While the number of applicants assessed as homeless or threatened with homelessness has increased, the proportion of all assessment decisions assessed as homeless or threatened with homelessness has stayed within one percentage point for the last 5 years (82%-83%).
- Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 09 July 2019
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Current Status:
Answered by Kevin Stewart on 5 August 2019
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to all five pathfinder housing first pilots reportedly being behind in meeting their June 2019 targets.
Answer
Scottish Government officials are working closely with Housing First Scotland Pathfinder Programme partners as the steady development of Housing First in the five Pathfinder areas continues.
At end of June, 93 people had moved in to a tenancy, with a higher number currently being assessed and allocated to support, against a guideline target of 143.
How quickly Housing First can be up-scaled is one of the key questions this Programme seeks to answer. This means identifying barriers, finding solutions, sharing learning and setting the pace. It is expected that the overall ambition will be met which is the goal of the local authorities, support services, RSLs and other partners involved in the project.
- Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 04 July 2019
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Current Status:
Answered by Jamie Hepburn on 26 July 2019
To ask the Scottish Government how many aviation engineering apprentices will be required in the next 10 years, and what programmes are in place to ensure that there are enough.
Answer
The aeronautical sector is also represented on the Engineering Skills Leadership Group and the Aerospace, Defence, Marine and Security Industry Leadership Group. To ensure they continue to meet demand and skills needs of employers, the economy and apprentices, apprenticeships are reviewed on a regular basis, with employers, employer groups, trade bodies, training providers, trade unions and other stakeholders involved in the development and review processes.
Currently there are Engineering frameworks with pathways in Aeronautical Engineering for both Foundation and Modern Apprentices. Additionally the Engineering Design and Manufacturing Graduate Apprenticeship is closely aligned to the sector, and can be tailored to suit the requirements of employers and apprentices who work in Aeronautical Engineering.
To address future needs a proposition for workforce upskilling within Advanced Manufacturing is currently being developed for the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS), which will enable upskilling and future proofing for the Aviation Engineering sub-sector. Furthermore there is engagement with the Aviation Skills Partnership on their Aviation Skills Plan for Scotland, with input on Engineering Skills, including a work-based learning provision.
- Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 05 June 2019
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 13 June 2019
To ask the Scottish Government under what circumstances it would consider using the provisions in the Referendums (Scotland) Bill.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 13 June 2019
