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The Scottish Government has not provided any funding to Garnethill Multicultural Centre since 2019, therefore, no objectives have been set.

The average time taken to determine planning applications for major housing developments is provided Table 1.

The Scottish Government does not hold the requested information. However, this information could be obtained from individual planning authorities.

The Scottish Government sympathises with those who are experiencing financial uncertainty as a result of delays in this development, either due to a change in personal circumstances or having to arrange a new mortgage agreement. We are aware that the increase in mortgage rates will make it more difficult for many purchasers across the housing market to both obtain mortgage lending or access it due to a decreased number of products available, even with the financial assistance available through New Supply Shared Equity.

The Community Hospital group has met in its current format since June 2023. The membership comprises professional advisors, NHS and HSCP clinicians, managers and leaders, and Scottish Government officials. It last met on 24 January 2024. The attendees discussed ongoing improvement work in different health board areas, and time was allocated for collaboration and networking to facilitate sharing of experience and good practice across Scottish community hospital settings.

The Scottish Government has not had any correspondence with Sanctuary or Cruden regarding delays to The Victoria development in Glasgow. Glasgow City Council receives funding for its affordable housing supply programme (AHSP) from the Scottish Government through the Transfer of Management of Development Funding (TMDF) arrangement. Working in partnership with local housing providers, the Council is responsible for the management and delivery of the housing programme, which includes The Victoria development, on behalf of Scottish Ministers.

High-quality, nutritious food which is sustainably produced is key to our wellbeing – in economic, environmental, social and health terms. The national Good Food Nation Plan sets out six over-arching Outcomes which indicate key areas to further develop our status as a Good Food Nation. These Outcomes have been developed with regard to a range of issues and principles set out in the Good Food Nation (Scotland) Act 2022, including the fact that each part of the food system plays an important role in the provision of food. The importance of supporting food production is particularly reflected in Outcome 4: “Our food and drink sector is prosperous, diverse, innovative, and vital to national and local economic and social wellbeing. It is key to making Scotland food secure and food resilient, and creates and sustains jobs and businesses underpinned by fair work standards.”

As well as the national Plan itself, we are also currently consulting on the list of specified functions that will, once set out in secondary legislation, give practical effect to the Good Food Nation Plan. The consultation can be found at https://consult.gov.scot/agriculture-and-rural-economy/national-good-food-nation-plan/ .

The Scottish Government values the diverse social housing sector in Scotland. We support the community ownership of social housing asset wealth where the landlord meets the required legal, regulatory and financial framework and where it is in the interests of its tenants.

Paul McLennan: During the last 12 months (January – December 2023), 40 new applications were made to the Homeowners Support Fund (HOSF).

All applicants to HOSF receive advice from an accredited money adviser who offer holistic services that best meet applicant’s needs. Accredited money advisers are appropriately qualified to determine when homeowners meet the HOSF eligibility criteria. This ensures all options and potential solutions have been considered before an application is made. All 40 applications were accepted for further consideration by SG officials.

Applications are made to the overall HOSF programme, and all are assessed by SG officials to determine suitability for either Mortgage to Shared Equity (MTSE) or Mortgage to Rent (MTR). Every application is carefully considered.

Section 52 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2014 gives Scottish Ministers the power to ask for documents and information they reasonably need to carry out an inspection on a letting agency company. To date this power has not been used.

Section 53 provides Scottish Ministers powers to carry out an inspection of premises which appear to being used for the purpose of carrying out letting agency work. This power was used on four occasions during 2019. The visits were used to confirm compliance with legislative requirements and no further action was required.