Emma Roddick
Scottish National Party · Scotland
“Knowing all that I know about the high rate of comorbidity of ADHD and hypermobility, it did not come as a surprise when I was told in January this year that my mental health diagnosis, which came with a great deal of difficulty, stigma and, as it turns out, the wrong treatment over years and years, was misdiagnosed neurodivergence.”
“It might be that no one beyond the person’s GP is needed to manage the post-diagnosis situation. All that might be needed is guided self-management and the awareness of what their diagnosis is, which will give them the necessary confidence to ask for adjustments at school or the workplace.”
“A child with ADHD who can be managed with some changes to their school day should just have those changes made. Not dealing with those people creates urgent cases that never needed to become urgent.”
“I can now access the right people and I can read about my condition, not a label. What I cannot do is get help from the NHS. I have been advised to go private, which is something I hate seeing in a letter that is headed “NHS”.”
“I congratulate and thank Helen McDade for securing this important debate. I am glad to see that there are cross-party contributions this evening.”
“When someone feels like they do not fit in and they do not know why, they can start to resent the world and their peers, who think that the person is difficult and unfriendly instead of just quiet and busy thinking about 12 things at once.”
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Every one of 407 lines we hold for Emma Roddick, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 5 of 9.
“The doubling of the Highland main line has already been mentioned, which would reduce the impact of disruption as well as offer the potential for shorter journey times and more freight capacity. A loop—either at Lentran or Delmore; I am not particularly fussed which one—would build resilience on the far north line, and there are other improvements that could move freight off our roads and passengers out of cars. A thriving rail network in the north of Scotland is crucial to decarbonising the transport system overall. We must support critical industries in my region, be it wooden pallets from West Fraser or whisky that is travelling from and to everywhere, to become more sustainable. That requires rail freight being a viable alternative to heavy goods vehicles on the A9 or the A96.”
“It felt like a strong commitment for a fairer country, because a fairer country must include transport links that are accessible, affordable and appropriate for different areas in the country. The profit motive of a private company often comes at the expense of long-term investment—a barrier that is no longer in place for this Government. In an online meeting only the night before the announcement, I mentioned that nationalisation would be a great step forward, which led some people in my local branch to credit me with the announcement. I did not make the announcement, but I have been in regular contact with the cabinet secretary and her predecessors to push on some other issues. There are many things that I would love to see improved about our services and infrastructure in the Highlands.”
“From today’s motion, two things are very clear to me: the SNP is good for Scotland’s railway, and improvements are easier to make for Scotland’s railway when the powers lie here in Scotland. I am a very regular user of Scotland’s railways. I am fresh off a train this morning from my home in Inverness, and I will be back up there again on Thursday night. I often use the far north, west Highland and Kyle lines, as well as the Aberdeen link for getting the ferry to Shetland or Orkney, and many of Scotland’s other routes to get along to Caley Thistle away games. I love being able to work on the train and skip night-time driving, and I sometimes sleep on the train if it is very late. Therefore, I was incredibly excited when, as a candidate, I heard that the SNP was going to commit to nationalising ScotRail in this session.”
“In November 2024, the Minister for Equalities wrote to the UK Government on behalf of Gaza Families Reunited to encourage the establishment of a scheme to reunite families from Gaza that would be similar to the scheme that we had in place in relation to Ukraine. The UK Government has not agreed to such a proposition, but the on-going awfulness of the situation and the concerns of families that Emma Roddick has put to me demonstrate the need for us to continue to press for such an approach to be taken to ensure that we do all that we can to support individuals who have been affected by the crisis.”
“I have many constituents who show up, week after week, to vigils and protests for Palestine, adding their voice to those of the many Scots who oppose the genocide that is happening in Gaza. I know that the Scottish Government has previously engaged with Gaza Families Reunited to lend support to pushing for the UK Government to open safe routes for those who have family already in Scotland to join that family—something that is personally affecting many of those whom I have met in Inverness at protests outside the town house. Can the First Minister give any update on that work? The First Minister: The Scottish Government has contacted the United Kingdom Government.”
“It is perhaps the biggest issue that is being raised by businesses—especially small businesses— throughout Scotland at the moment. I appeal to the Labour Party to take that on board in the forthcoming budget. The NI increase is crippling businesses the length and breadth of Scotland. We have had rising energy costs when we were promised lower energy costs, and rising business costs when we were promised a growth mission. The Deputy Presiding Officer: Question 6 comes from Tim Eagle, who joins us remotely. Regional Growth Deals (Highlands and Islands) 6.”
“Spiralling energy costs and Labour’s national insurance hike are squeezing the public sector and businesses alike and limiting their ability to grow and invest. Does the minister agree that Labour must urgently abandon that tax on jobs? Can he say any more about the support that the Scottish Government is offering to businesses in Scotland’s Highlands and Islands? Richard Lochhead: I join Emma Roddick in her appeal to the UK Labour Government, which, when it was first elected, said that it had a growth mission but went on to introduce an increase in tax for businesses that is causing real problems. If I had a pound for every time a business raised that issue with me, I would be a very rich person. The national insurance rise is a huge issue that is of equivalent importance to the energy issue.”
“A neurodevelopmental pathway can help to ensure that the right support is provided. That is intended to ensure that young people who need CAMHS support for their mental health receive it in a timely manner and that specialist neurodevelopmental support is available whenever it is needed. The specific design of health services is for individual health boards to decide, and each will have its own arrangements. However, there should be a multi-agency approach, and services should be designed to ensure that children receive appropriate and timely support for their individual needs.”
“It is vital that children and young people have access to the right support and specialist care. I am glad that steps forward have been taken in the understanding of complex cases, intersectionality and comorbidities in neurodivergence. It can make a huge difference if a child is sent down the wrong treatment route due to misunderstandings. Can the minister say any more about the Scottish Government’s work to ensure that young people access the right pathways and that services provide adequate support? Tom Arthur: I reiterate that I understand that recent confusion about the relationships between CAMHS and neurodevelopmental support has been causing concerns. I reiterate that CAMHS is not the correct service for children seeking a diagnosis of a neurodevelopmental condition unless they have a co-existing mental health condition.”
“NatureScot has a duty to protect the species. It is rare, but not unheard of, that a constituent wants to kill the birds indiscriminately, with no regard to the species being able to survive. People do not want the extreme and dangerous behaviour that takes place when the situation is allowed to get out of control. I agree with colleagues that we need to give local communities a full range of options to deal with gulls and prevent situations from getting out of control, when the birds have started to pose a risk and when concerns have been raised. I look forward to hearing the minister’s response to the suggestions. 13:00”
“However, as somebody who served as a councillor six years ago and was, at that time, involved in the decision—as mentioned in Douglas Ross’s motion—to continue to award funding from the Inverness common good fund to tackle the problem, I know that progress feels very slow. I have also had constituents write in with concerns about the approaches that are taken in destroying eggs. They feel that it is not always a last resort but sometimes the only option available. In Nairn, one person said to me that it is usually human behaviour that she witnesses that encourages the birds. She often finds people, whether they are locals or tourists, littering or intentionally feeding the seagulls. We cannot blame those birds for moving in when they get an easy meal, but we can do more to discourage such behaviour by humans.”
“When I look out of my kitchen window, I can see seagulls nesting on the spikes that are there to drive them away, so perhaps we need to reconsider what measures are actually effective and which measures local councils and partners should be allowed to undertake. I know that the Inverness and Nairn business improvement districts often manage to target seagull issues successfully, and I thank them for that. People do not very often reach out to me, as an MSP, to share good news or positive feedback, but I have heard repeatedly that the BIDs’ work in partnership with tenants associations, businesses and building owners has often meant that good progress is made and people’s contributions are listened to.”
“Douglas Ross mentioned some extreme incidents, which clearly have a massive impact on people’s lives. Therefore, it is important that councils and their partners are able to react more quickly when issues emerge. By the time an issue is noticed and then reported and responded to, it is often past the point at which measures such as targeting eggs can be considered and can be effective. From then on, it is hard to row back on the disruption, rather than just limiting how much worse it gets year on year. NatureScot issues licences as a last resort when there are issues of public safety. However, between there being no issues and the need to take measures as a last resort, there are opportunities for us to prevent the problem from becoming dire.”
“I thank Douglas Ross for bringing the debate to the chamber. It is good to have the opportunity to explore what more can be done to deal with local seagull issues, many of which have been reported to me as well. I live next to an industrial estate in Inverness, so I absolutely understand the issues that seagulls can cause in residential areas in particular. My mother always used a different name for them that many Highlanders would recognise, but I will not repeat it in the chamber. I receive a disproportionate number of complaints about these birds in certain communities. It is not just about the noise and the mess that they make, and the fact that they are a nuisance; I am aware that people have been injured and that property has been damaged.”
“We want to work with the UK Government to secure greater fiscal flexibilities to support sound financial management and to deal with volatility. The Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government will discuss those issues further at the forthcoming meeting of the UK finance interministerial standing committee.”
“Will the minister set out the additional flexibilities contained within the fiscal framework and explain whether he believes that they are sufficient to give the Scottish Government the financial levers that it requires? Ivan McKee: Under the fiscal framework, the Scottish Government can access limited resource and capital borrowing and has the use of the Scotland reserve. The Scottish Government’s borrowing powers, though improved by the fiscal framework, remain extremely limited. For example, resource borrowing is still limited to addressing forecast errors in tax or social security payments and cannot be used to fund day-to-day expenditure, and the current cap on the Scotland reserve limits our ability to carry forward funds into future financial years.”
“Designating areas of linguistic significance will be a new development, with the potential to focus strong support on areas with Gaelic activity and significant numbers of Gaelic speakers. That important process will involve local authority decision making, community input, Bòrd na Gàidhlig advocacy and the involvement of the Scottish ministers. The Deputy Presiding Officer: I call Ross Greer to speak to amendment 65 and other amendments in the group.”
“Amendment 17 would set a period of one year within which the local authority must give that consideration. As the committee’s stage 1 report acknowledges, there is a need for urgent action to ensure that our language and our language communities are protected. Amendment 19 seeks to add to the provisions on the guidance that can be given to help local authorities with decisions, so that it may relate, in particular, to how they determine which areas could be designated as an area of linguistic significance. Amendments 20 and 21 seek to provide a ministerial power to require a local authority to reconsider in cases in which it has decided not to submit a designation proposal to the Scottish ministers.”
“Tapadh leibh, Oifigeir Riaghlaidh. The bill makes provision for local authorities to designate areas of linguistic significance. Those will be areas in which there are important numbers of Gaelic speakers or levels of Gaelic activity and that are clearly important for the future promotion and support of Gaelic language. However, in order for that approach to meet its potential, people must be able to trust that those areas will, indeed, be designated where appropriate. Therefore, amendments 17 and 18 seek to strengthen the provision by requiring a local authority to consider whether any part of its area contains such a significant number of people with Gaelic skills and to consider submitting a proposed designation to the Scottish ministers if that test is met.”
“The Government’s BSL national plan, which was published in 2023, represents our on-going commitment to making Scotland the best place in the world for BSL users to live in. Equal access, opportunity, representation and inclusion are key components of our plan, which apply across areas such as education, health, justice and culture. Through the national plan’s implementation advisory group, we will work with key partners who represent deaf and deafblind communities to ensure that we are held accountable for the actions in the plan and to draw on their experience to strengthen delivery, including in the areas that Emma Roddick has asked about. The Deputy Presiding Officer: Annie Wells is joining us remotely.”
“I have heard from constituents who are British Sign Language users who have been assessed for a care support package but cannot access it due to a lack of BSL-trained support workers. I know that they are keen to hear the outcome of the inquiry that the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee is currently holding. Can the cabinet secretary provide any reassurance to BSL users that health services are aware of gaps in provision and are focusing on closing those gaps? Neil Gray: A shared aim of the population health framework and the service renewal framework is to reduce health inequalities by ensuring that services are designed and delivered in ways that are inclusive, equitable and responsive to the needs of all communities.”
“There has been a lot of back and forth between Labour members—I hope that they are conferring among themselves on how they can perhaps persuade their Labour colleagues down south, because I spot a bit of uncomfortableness on the part of the Scottish Labour Party today. We are bringing forward plans to mitigate policies from a UK Labour Government. I never thought that that would be needed. Whether it relates to the UK Government’s lack of action on the two-child cap or to our learning from the Scottish child payment, we stand ready to assist the UK Government should it wish to introduce policies that, as Professor Dorling has said, have made a major difference in tackling poverty in”
“I note that Professor Danny Dorling has published a piece that praises the Scottish Government’s work on tackling child poverty, in which he says: “Scotland has shown what can be done and needs to be done.” With Scotland setting an example on what can be achieved, he predicts that Westminster will be forced to act. I am keen to understand whether the UK Government has acknowledged the success of the Scottish child payment and whether there have been any discussions about creating a UK-wide benefit. Shirley-Anne Somerville: I am continually disappointed by the UK Government’s lack of progress on that issue.”
“I am looking forward to joining the Kessock ferry swim next month, and I hope to see many of our local activists, volunteers and leaders there, as well. Once again, I thank Bob Doris for sharing the successes of Summerston, and I hope to hear that the community continues to experience the benefits of the work that has been done up until now and builds on it. 17:27”
“I know that many local people were instrumental in clearing rubbish, planting trees and advocating preservation, and it has always been my pleasure to join them in litter picks, at meetings with the council and at events for nearby residents. It is hard to picture what the area would be like without the Friends of Merkinch Local Nature Reserve. Again, the local primary school plays a part—children have designed the benches that sit along the paths through the reserve. Bob Doris recognised the wide impact that volunteers and regular community events can have in lifting spirits and encouraging people to feel a real connection and duty to their local area. That is incredibly important—when people do not feel a part of things, they are less likely to look after what they have and build it better.”
“At last week’s opening of the new Whin park, city leader Councillor Ian Brown highlighted that the renovations were the result of collaboration not just with the council and its partners but with people in the community, including children and young people, who took part in the design process. That is fantastic not only because it means that the end result is one that young people actually want but because I am sure that taking part in that process now will make it more likely that those young people will use their voices in future, speaking up and becoming people with a real stake in and passion for their community. Where I live in Merkinch, the local nature reserve has been protected and enhanced by community activists such as Dell McClurg and Caroline Snow.”
“From the likes of Eigg and Knoydart, which continue to demonstrate the value of community ownership as well as participation, to development trusts around the whole region that are taking control on tackling local issues by building homes, starting energy developments and identifying opportunities to take on empty buildings or vacant plots of land, there are countless examples of communities getting it right. Team Hamish in Nairn took the tragic loss of young Hamish and his mother and has ensured that Nairn and the wider area will never forget that family. I have enjoyed and taken joy in seeing others enjoy phase 2 of the vision for Nairn every time that I am in the town—I have seen kids play and eat their ice creams as parents and guardians watch on from nearby seating.”
“I thank Bob Doris for bringing the debate to the chamber and sharing his very positive thoughts about his community, and I pay tribute to his passion for that local area. It is wonderful to hear about all that the people of Summerston have achieved, directly from their MSP, and it is clear that they have his respect as well as his support. Bob Doris’s motion highlights “that constructive community activism and participation is a key component in helping communities such as Summerston prosper”. I believe that that is true, and I have seen it in many of the areas that I represent, as well. This summer, I am looking forward to my usual packed surgery schedule and to catching up with communities that are leading in participation.”
“It is now so much harder than it needs to be to recruit vital workers and attract students. Analysis estimates that Brexit trade barriers could impact Scotland’s economy by £4 billion, with our exports being potentially £3 billion lower than if we had continued our EU membership. We have the talent, skills and natural resources to be a major player in emerging and growing industries, whether that is renewables, space or life sciences, and the Highlands and Islands knows how to be part of them. I do not want us to miss out. To ensure that we do not, we need continued partnership with the likes of Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the University of the Highlands and Islands, alongside the full powers of an independent nation within the European Union. 16:05”
“Unfortunately, however, is not just geographical or industrial issues that our businesses face right now—there are political barriers, too. Labour’s decision to hit all employers with a national insurance hike is reducing the ability of small businesses to contribute to our economy and forcing them to choose between reducing their numbers of employees or paying those employees less than they might otherwise might have paid them. That does not make sense. Given how much the rise is costing the UK Government itself, nobody has yet been able to explain whom the rise is serving. Brexit, in addition to a continued stubborn immigration policy that is not based on evidence or need, is also holding us back. UK policy is out of step with what Scotland wants and needs.”
“Supported by the Inverness and Highland city region deal, the hub has now offered tailored support, funding, events and mentoring to more than 2,500 organisations across the Highlands, including Pat Munro, which got help with information technology projects, and Kirsty Elizabeth Studio in Fort William—a start-up that now features as a case study on HIE’s website, showcasing what Highlanders can do with a little bit of support and a massive amount of entrepreneurial spirit. Although the challenges that economies and communities face often feel more acute in my region, that presents us with the opportunity of finding solutions that not only work for us but can inspire the rest of the country and often the world.”
“A couple of years ago, the Scotland 5G Centre, working with Highlands and Islands Enterprise, opened an innovation hub in Inverness to accelerate the deployment and adoption of 5G-enabled solutions. That includes pop-up networks to bring that 5G technology to geographically dispersed areas from Thurso all the way to Fort William. We are very lucky to have all the benefits of the successful Highlands and Islands Enterprise. I see its impact every day, with many new and future workstreams as well as the outcomes of various opportunities that have been taken over the past few decades with HIE support. The northern innovation hub is a great example.”
“Those amazing local businesses are run for the local area by locals, and they are full of heart as well as truly high-quality goods and services. However, it is not a given that we will keep them—we have to support them, and that means support from Government as well as local shoppers. That is why, despite our limited powers and an annually challenging budget, the Scottish National Party keeps offering that support. More than 95 per cent of non-domestic properties in Scotland continue to benefit from a property tax rate that is lower than that elsewhere in the UK, with more than 100,000 properties being entirely exempt. We are leading in innovation, too. Beyond traditional sectors, the Highlands and Islands is embracing digital transformation.”
“I welcome the opportunity to highlight some of what is going on in the Highlands and Islands and in our nation as a whole. Scotland is rich with the talent, skills and facilities that are needed if we are to achieve our ambitious goal of becoming one of Europe’s fastest-growing start-up economies, and that is particularly true in the diverse landscapes of the Highlands and Islands. Whenever I travel elsewhere, I am struck by how big business often easily overwhelms many town and city centres, where I see endless branches of Greggs, Pret a Manger, McDonald’s and other big names. I am always so grateful to return home to Harry Gow, Ashers Bakery, the Highland Weigh, One One Two, Island Larder, Bad Girl Bakery and the Redshank—I could fill four minutes listing a few more names.”
“We continue to help artists to access new markets, by building business relationships and promoting Scotland’s culture sector internationally through the Scottish Government’s network of international offices. As part of our international culture strategy, we have committed to carrying out a feasibility study on the establishment of a support service for cultural export and exchange. That will help to inform how we can best support international activity in the sector to overcome challenges to it.”
“A vital part of safeguarding cultural wealth and heritage is ensuring that we can effectively promote Scotland’s creative talent and showcase it to the rest of the world. Can the cabinet secretary say more about how the Scottish Government is supporting Creative Scotland and the culture sector through increased funding in the 2025-26 Scottish budget? Angus Robertson: We have demonstrated our commitment to the culture sector by making a funding increase of more than £34 million in 2025- 26. That takes us to a level of culture funding of more than £50 million more than there was in 2023-24 and includes an additional £4 million for festivals. The funding will support our commitments to double the festivals expo fund and to expand its reach across Scotland, beyond festivals in Edinburgh and Glasgow.”
“To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the United Kingdom Government regarding improving the process for bringing forward orders under section 104 of the Scotland Act 1998. (S6O-04736)”
“That is why driver behaviour and the communications that we are working on are important. I encourage everyone to promote the materials to which I referred. Road Works (M8 Glasgow) 3.”
“One of the challenges in the Highlands and Islands is that many people who drive on single- track roads are not used to doing so. Frustration builds when there is a mix of people who are travelling too slowly and driving too fast. As we head towards another busy summer season, what advice would the cabinet secretary offer drivers in the Highlands and Islands and elsewhere in rural Scotland? Fiona Hyslop: I would ask the member to share the materials that I just talked about. All road users—those who live here as well as visitors— need to be safe. We recognise that rural and island routes, especially single-track roads, can be challenging for those who are unfamiliar with driving them. Rapid weather changes, quiet stretches, driver frustration—as the member talked about—and unfamiliarity add to risk.”
“A full consultation is now going ahead, and I fully expect that, at the end of that, members will see that the important balance between the rights of individuals, whatever their position, is dealt with appropriately and with sensitivity. The Deputy Presiding Officer: We have reached the time that has been set for decision time. Three more members wish to ask a question. I will get their questions in, but they will need to be brief.”
“The decision seems premature and inconsistent with the Supreme Court ruling. The consultation that Christine Grahame mentioned should have happened before any decision was made. How will the SPCB ensure the dignity of trans and non-binary staff who are working in the Parliament? Does it recognise that this unexpected and surprising policy change has put them in an impossible situation and, potentially, a hostile working environment? Christine Grahame: I certainly hope and expect that it will not put anyone in the Parliament into a hostile environment. That is not the culture in this building, and it has not been so in my 20- odd years here. As I have said, this is simply an interim decision—an interim practical choice— being made to comply with the Supreme Court ruling.”
“If we want MSPs, particularly those who are in one of the parties of Government, to take their convenership seriously in its own right and not just to see it as a stepping stone, it must be remunerated in a way that recognises and encourages the level of work that is needed. Committees should, and can, be incredibly effective. Issues should be spotted and fixed in committees, not in the press or with another bill in the next session. Ministers should be terrified to appear in front of us. I hope that the inquiry results in some change in structure to facilitate that. 16:11”
“However, the solutions always seem to lead to a very difficult question for MSPs, including for those like me who sit on three committees: even if we have smaller committees, are there enough of us to meaningfully improve scrutiny? I have a lot of sympathy for the issues raised about remuneration, which I believe is critical to strengthening the whole system. I have worked under many excellent conveners and I have seen the work that they are expected to do. It is a whole other job on top of being a back bencher—it is much like being a deputy presiding officer or a junior minister.”
“That is an interesting question, which can only really be answered if we do more post-legislative scrutiny and follow-up work. I know from my experience that committees often do not feel that they have time to do those things, but, if we want to be more effective, they are critical. The convener of the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee mentioned the issue of the time that committees have. We need to ask ourselves some serious questions about whether the value that we place on committees is reflected in the parliamentary timetable. There are a lot of solutions out there, from giving over some afternoons of chamber business to having separate bill committees.”
“It felt as though we had achieved something, along with the support of clerks and SPICe, in pulling together everything that we had considered into recommendations. However, the response from the Government was a huge disappointment to me, as a fairly new MSP. One witness to the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee inquiry pointed out that it is hard to measure effectiveness. There is no key performance indicator on committee impact factor—yet. Is effectiveness measured by how many amendments the committee makes to a bill or how many reports it publishes? What about recommendations that are initially ignored by the Government but which make it in to the next budget or manifesto that is drawn up—without any credit given to the committee, with its report already forgotten?”
“A convener who creates a culture of interest, curiosity and participation—or who brings bacon rolls to meetings—can really make a difference. Respect from the Government and media for committees and the issues that they raise is incredibly important. I wish that I could think of an effective way to prevent party whipping in committees. One particular example of good work was undertaken by the Social Justice and Social Security Committee under the convenership of Elena Whitham. At the end of an inquiry, we published the report, “Robbing Peter to pay Paul: low income and the debt trap”. It was hailed by third sector campaigners, those whom we took evidence from and MSPs across parties.”
“The inquiries that are carried out often give much-needed air to issues that really matter to constituents and are important and worthy of time, but that are perhaps not quite as flashy when it comes to discussing them in the chamber—perhaps much like this debate. Committees do not have enough power or, I am afraid, enough respect. My experience has taught me that the convener and their approach make a huge difference to the effectiveness of a committee and the experience of members and witnesses. A convener who does not allow members to pursue non-SPICe lines of questioning, overloads witness panels or does not show an interest in detail or in approaching difficult subjects can create a dispiriting environment.”
“I want to get a couple of things out of the way before I start. First, I reassure Jackson Carlaw that nobody had to bully me to take part in the debate. You can check with my whips—I was well up for it. Secondly, I know that many committees have done excellent work in the Parliament, and I hope that their members, their conveners and anybody who has given evidence will understand that any criticisms that I make of the structures are absolutely no criticism of the work that they have done. Indeed, it makes any successes that much more impressive. I have sat on four committees, acted as a substitute member on two and appeared before two others as a minister, so I know that they are busy and often overloaded.”
“Homelessness prevention is vital as part of tackling the housing emergency, and it will continue to be vital once we have moved out of the housing emergency. That is why, as I mentioned in my statement, we have put an additional £4 million into the ending homelessness together budget to assist people to prepare for the new preventative powers that will come in through the housing budget. When that is put together with the more than £30 million for homelessness prevention activity that is given to local authorities and the money to mitigate the bedroom tax, which assists more than 94,000 households to safeguard their tenancies and prevent homelessness, it is clear that the prevention work that Emma Roddick rightly focuses on is integral to the work that the Government will be doing to tackle the housing emergency.”
“It is vital that we continue to press forward with action to tackle homelessness and ensure that everyone has a safe and secure place to call home. Can the cabinet secretary provide an update on the steps that the Scottish Government is taking to support local authorities and front-line services to prevent homelessness, and what difference the upstream homelessness prevention fund is expected to make for people who are at risk? Shirley-Anne Somerville: The project that Emma Roddick mentioned, the upstream homelessness prevention fund, was an ask by the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations as a response from the housing sector on how to deal with the housing emergency. I am delighted that the Government is able to support that fund.”