Seòmar agus comataidhean

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.

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.

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, the Scottish Government does not collect information on the number of people sleeping rough in each local authority area.

The Scottish Government does collect data from local authorities on the number of homeless applications where at least one member of the household reported sleeping rough the night before making an application, and within the three months preceding an application. These statistics are published annually and the information can be found in Tables 2a & b and Tables 3a & b of the Main Tables (June 2021) spreadsheet on the Scottish Government’s Homelessness in Scotland: 2020 to 2021 statistics publication page: Homelessness in Scotland: 2020 to 2021 - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

The Scottish Government aims to develop a national case management system to enable relevant information to be made available to organisations supporting people experiencing homelessness. We aim to begin a pilot of this system in 2021.

In section 126 of Scottish Planning Policy, affordable housing is defined broadly as housing of a reasonable quality that is affordable to people on modest incomes and this includes social rented accommodation, mid-market rented accommodation, shared ownership housing, shared equity housing, housing sold at a discount (including plots for self-build), and low cost housing without subsidy.

The Scottish Planning Policy definition is therefore at a high level, since it will apply across a variety of housing types and areas. While the definition of affordable housing includes reference to people on modest incomes this term is not defined as affordability can be affected by a range of factors such as tenure, income and location.

Further advice on the types of affordable housing that can contribute to affordable housing requirements is set out in Planning Advice 2/2010 - https://www.gov.scot/publications/planning-advice-note-2-2010-affordable-housing-housing-land-audits/

As there is no universally accepted definition of rent affordability, Housing to 2040, Scotland’s first long-term housing strategy, which was published in March 2021 includes a commitment to work with stakeholders to develop a shared understanding of affordability which is fit for the future

Since 2013 the Scottish Government has invested over £45 million to develop the ChargePlace Scotland network, which now has 1,845 publicly available chargers. UK Government’s Department for Transport statistics show that, with 43 chargers per 100,000 of population, Scotland has the highest number of chargepoints relative to population outside of London. Most chargers can charge 2 cars simultaneously, however some rapid chargers are only able to charge 1 car at a time. It is not possible to give a total number of electric vehicles that the ChargePlace Scotland can support, but this number is much greater than the number of individual charging connections. This figure would be influenced by a wide range of factors, importantly individual charging sessions will vary in duration from well under an hour to overnight charging and in part will be determined by the state of charge as the vehicle is plugged in. A critical factor will be distances travelled and how vehicles are used over any given period as this will significantly influence their charging requirements.

The Scottish Government only hold data on the ChargePlace Scotland network, and whilst it is the largest public charging network in Scotland other providers do operate in Scotland, so will increase the total number of charging points available to the public. Complementing the public charging network, Scottish Government, through the Energy Saving Trust, have now funded over 10,000 home and business chargepoints which will make a significant contribution to supporting Scotland’s transition to zero emission vehicles.

In terms of daily dosage amounts, our advice is a supplement containing 10 micrograms of vitamin D (400 IU). This applies to adults and children over one year of age. Ten micrograms per day is the average amount needed by the majority (97.5%) of the population to maintain adequate vitamin D levels when UVB sunlight exposure is minimal. This is to maintain bone and muscle health and is based on the recommendations of the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN), as set out in its 2016 report Vitamin D and Health. SACN advises all devolved nations and UK Government on nutrition related matters.

The report is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sacn-vitamin-d-and-health-report

Further information on our current advice on vitamin D is available at https://www.gov.scot/publications/vitamin-d-advice-for-all-age-groups/

SACN published an updated rapid review on Vitamin D and acute respiratory tractinfections on 17 December 2020. SACN recommended the reference nutrient intake for vitamin D remain unchanged at 10 micrograms per day.

The rapid review is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sacn-rapid-review-vitamin-d-and-acute-respiratory-tract-infections

We currently have no plans to revise our advice on vitamin D supplementation. We will continue to be guided by SACN as the evidence on vitamin D develops.

In 2019, the Scottish Government launched Scotland’s first National Framework for Action on Neurological Care and Support 2020-25. Over five years we will invest £4.5 million of funding to implement the Framework’s 17 commitments to improve the provision of co-ordinated health and social care and support for people with neurological conditions, such as migraine.

Through our Modernising Patient Pathways Programme, we are currently engaged in establishing a multi-disciplinary team of experts across Scotland to develop a national headache pathway, which will seek to standardise approaches across the country based on the best available evidence. The assessment and treatment of Migraine will form a key element of this.

In terms of continuing professional development for healthcare professionals, NHS Education for Scotland have produced a Practice Based Small Group Learning module on Neurology, which specifically covers the primary care assessment of headache and the treatment of migraine.

Sports sponsorship entails a range of alcohol advertising and promotional activity, which we know is seen by children and young people across Scotland. This influences positive attitudes towards drinking alcohol and can encourage them to start drinking alcohol or to drink more alcohol.

Whilst recognising the impact Covid-19 has had on the sporting sector as well as the importance of sponsorship income, we would encourage sports teams and organisations to diversify sponsorship away from alcohol brands. We applaud Scottish Women’s Football for the stance they have taken not to accept sponsorship from the alcohol or gambling industries.

We have committed to publicly consulting on a range of potential alcohol marketing restrictions to protect children and young people in Scotland. We are considering all methods of alcohol advertising and promotion in developing proposals for the public consultation.

Equality impact assessments have been carried out where appropriate in relation to the levels approach in Coronavirus (Covid-19): Scotland’s Strategic Framework, including following its updates in February and June 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.