 The next item of business is a statement by Shona Robison on strengthened fire alarm standards. The cabinet secretary will take questions at the end of her statement and hence there should be no interventions or interruptions. I call on Shona Robison, cabinet secretary, up to 10 minutes please. Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. The law on fire alarms is changing from the first of February in Scotland and there have been calls for a further delay to this legislation but, having considered the balance of risks, I am clear that it is not right to delay the legislation that is designed to protect and save lives. Ensuring that people are safe from risk of fire in their homes is a key priority for the Scottish Government. Those improved standards will reduce the risk of injury and death in house fires. One death from fire in Scotland's homes is one death too many. Following the tragedy at Grenfell, the Scottish Government carried out a public consultation in 2017 that showed very strong support for a new minimum standard for fire and smoke detectors across all housing, regardless of tenure. That legislation brings all homes to the same standard. For example, it ensures that social rented homes have the same fire safety standards that have been in law for nearly a decade for the private rented sector. It ensures that owner-occupied homes have the same safety standards that new-build homes have had for nearly 15 years. From 1 February, the standard means that all houses should have interlinked alarms with one smoke alarm in the living room, one in each hallway and landing, a heat alarm in the kitchen and a carbon monoxide detector in each room with a carbon-fuelled appliance such as a gas boiler or fire. Those alarms will support greater fire safety and prevent avoidable death. An interlinked alarm means that when one alarm goes off in one part of the house, the rest will go off. That means, for example, that if someone is sleeping in a bedroom away from the kitchen where a fire starts, all the alarms will go off and people are alerted to the danger. Those alarms are very similar to the fire alarms that people will already have, but that important interlinking provides extra safety. Although they can be wired into homes, most are the same as fire alarms that people now have—battery operated, but they can effectively communicate with each other. Figures from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service show that, in 2020-21, there were 44 deaths due to house fires in Scotland. In the four years from 2014-18, where fatalities were recorded, on average 30 per cent of fires started in the living room and 15 per cent in the kitchen. In 52 per cent of domestic fire incidents, a smoke alarm had alerted occupants to the fact that there was a fire giving people a greater chance of escape. Interlinked fire and smoke alarms increased the chance of being alerted more quickly by all going off simultaneously, regardless of where the fire starts. That is why we have introduced the same standards for all properties. We are asking the social rented sector to make this change for their tenants and we know that it has well progressed. We are also asking people who own their own homes to take this step. The Scottish Government has already made over £15 million of loan funding available for social landlords to be cured and to install the necessary alarms that should help to ensure that social tenants are safe in their homes. At an expected average cost of around £220 and sometimes less, I hope that the new fire alarm standards will be viewed as part of on-going improvements for people who own their own homes, one that will protect their property and, importantly, can save lives. I know, however, that people are feeling the cost of living squeezed right now and might feel that they do not have the money available, so I would like to make two points. For those who own their home who are at high risk of fire or who are elderly or disabled, we have provided £1.5 million through the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and Care and Pair Scotland to support homeowners to have appropriate alarms fitted. Secondly, it is local authorities who have the duty for ensuring compliance with these standards in the local area. They will be taking a proportionate and measured approach to compliance, taking individual circumstances into account, as well as reflecting the evolving situation with the Covid-19 pandemic. I can be absolutely clear that there are no penalties for non-compliance and no one will be penalised if they need more time, although I strongly encourage all homeowners to make those changes and benefit from the improved protection against loss of life and property in the event of a fire. We have progressed a full awareness-raising campaign through 2021, and COSLA has confirmed that there will be a measured and proportionate approach to compliance as well. Those changes, including the timing of implementation, have been carefully considered and consulted on over a number of years. Following the Grenfell Tower fire, the Scottish Government undertook a review of Scotland's building and fire safety regulatory frameworks. As part of that work, we prioritised a consultation on fire and smoke alarms. That consultation went ahead in 2017 with a wide range of respondents. There was very strong support for a common new minimum standard for fire and smoke detectors across all housing. People told us that they were in favour of swift action with a proposed one-year period of introduction of regulations, but in response to specific concerns from stakeholders about the time needed for carrying out the work, ministers agreed that the regulations should allow a period of two years for compliance. The regulations that introduced the new standard were unanimously supported by members of the cross-party local government and communities committee of the Scottish Parliament on 19 December 2018. Those regulations were set in law on 16 January 2019 and were intended to come into force on 1 February 2021. However, in the light of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic during 2020, there were concerns about how the pandemic would impact on homeowner's ability to make changes to their homes in time for the original deadline. A delay of 12 months was sought by ministers and agreed at the local government and communities committee meeting in December 2020. As was stated at that time, a longer delay was not right as any delay to the regulation is a delay to a measure that has the potential to protect lives. That is why we remain committed to bringing in the new standards from 1 February 2022. I hope that I have already provided reassurance to the need for those measures to improve fire safety in all types of home and to protect lives. However, let me also address the other issues that I have heard raised. I am aware of some concerns about the validity of home insurance policies if compliance with the new legislation is not met. We have assured people that that is not the case. We have engaged proactively with the Association of British Insurance throughout the legislative process, and we have ensured that members were aware of the changes. I have stated that, while insurers may ask customers questions about whether the property is fitted with working fire alarms, they are not likely to ask questions about specific standards. Anyone who is unclear on their policy terms and conditions in relation to the new law should speak to their insurer. Public awareness of the changes to those regulations is now high. The Scottish Government ran an intensive awareness media campaign over five weeks in the summer of 2021 across TV, radio and digital platforms. That reached 95 per cent of all adults across Scotland, with 85 per cent of those seeing the campaign at least three times with that vital public information message. In addition, over 96,000 printed leaflets have been supplied to libraries across Scotland, and we have regularly updated our dedicated website with information and advice and distributed an electronic toolkit of resources to key stakeholders. The campaign was shown by independent researchers to have engaged the target audience, driven awareness of the new legislation and encouraged people to take action. Further research carried out in December 2021 showed that 88 per cent of homeowners were aware of the new legislation. We have also made materials available so that MSPs can inform their constituents about the important changes to fire alarms from February this year. I wrote to all MSPs last autumn with further information and frequently asked questions. Following that statement, I intend to write again to all MSPs providing the most up-to-date information to support you in responding to questions from your constituents. That increased level of awareness led to significant public interest in complying with the new standard, which is welcome. I am aware that there have been challenges in meeting the demand exacerbated by global supply shortages of component parts and in the supply of suitable tradespeople to carry out work in people's homes. As of this morning, my officials have confirmed that fire alarms are currently available for purchase and delivery, where the manufacturer has a UK supply chain. Some manufacturers of fire alarms continue to have supply chain issues with imported components, which limit the availability of their alarms for immediate purchase. As I have said before, the legislation makes allowance for the reasonable additional time needed in this situation. In closing, it is really important that I reiterate that, in setting a new standard for fire alarms for homeowners and social landlords, bringing standards in line with other types of homes, our foremost goal is to protect life and prevent avoidable deaths in the event of a fire. The cabinet secretary will now take questions on the issues raised in her statement. I intend to allow around 20 minutes for questions after which we will move on to the next item of business, and it would be helpful if those members who wish to ask a question were to press the request to speak button now or to enter R in the chatroom. I call Miles Briggs. Deputy Presiding Officer, I thank the cabinet secretary for advance sight of her statement as well, but there is nothing new in this statement today. I think that that will be of concern to many householders across Scotland. The cabinet secretary spoke about the awareness campaign and claimed that public awareness of those regulations is now high. However, the Scottish Government's own evaluation report published this week shows that just one in 10 households are not aware of this new legislation, a significant number. Those regulations were postponed a year ago, and I think that that was a welcome step forward, given the fact that we saw the outcome of Covid-19 on homeowners, especially elderly and vulnerable homeowners not wanting workmen coming into their homes. I think that that was a proper step forward, but I ask the cabinet secretary why, in this case, given that the actual Covid restrictions are not going to be lifted until Monday, why she hasn't heard that call again. I also ask specifically how many households now does the cabinet secretary believe in Scotland still need to have those devices fitted? It's really important, given the fact that this comes into force in just 13 days' time. The important thing here is to get on with supporting and encouraging homeowners to put in those devices that potentially could save lives. I hope that we all agree on the importance of that. On the awareness of the changes, as I said in my statement, the independent analysis shows that, at the end of last year, 88 per cent of homeowners were aware of the new legislation. I know from my own mailbag that, in terms of people asking some questions around this, awareness is high. On the question that he asked about how many, as I answered in my answer to Sarah Boyack during portfolio questions, we won't know the answer to that until we have the Scottish household survey, which will ask that question. This is a measure that is important that homeowners take. Of course, we are only talking about homeowners here. Private rented tenants and social rented tenants will have that device provided already or will be coming with there by their landlord. This is for homeowners. It is really important that homeowners prioritise getting those devices installed because it literally could save lives. We support the vital fire safety improvement, but if homeowners can't comply, the measure won't start saving the lives that we hope it will. The pensioner who called me yesterday panicking their insurance will be invalidated and will be the latest who wants to comply but can't get the kit until March. The Association of British Insurers has said that insurers will expect that households are compliant with any legislation but are not likely to ask questions about specific standards but that it is up to individual insurers to decide how to respond to that new standard. Does the cabinet secretary accept that insurers will have every right to interpret the legal enforcement date and the standards as the one-in-law? Relying them on them may not be likely to ask questions but does not give homeowners the assurance that they deserve. Letting that happen when so many homeowners can't get access to alarms is bad policy. Will the cabinet secretary instruct our formal delay and give homeowners more time to source the alarms and comply? No, I don't believe that that would be the right thing to do because there's already been a delay and at the end of the day what we're talking about here are devices that have the potential to save lives and I don't think that it would be right and if I had had a further delay, I think that questions would be quite rightly being asked of me that given these are life, potentially life-saving devices, is it right to delay the regulations coming in? I don't think that it's right to delay but I do recognise the issues that the member rightly raises. Let me reiterate again about the work that we've done with the Association of British Insurers who understand those issues very well indeed and that's why they have been discussing with their members and ensuring that their members are aware of the changes and have stated very clearly that, while insurers may ask customers whether the property is fitted with working fire alarms, it's not likely that they would ask about specific standards, that is the practice within the insurance industry. However, as I said in my statement, anyone who is unsure or unclear on their policy terms and conditions in relation to the new law should in the first instance speak to their insurer. In terms of access to alarms, I recognise that over the last few months there have been issues but I have asked my officials on a regular basis to check the availability in Scotland through either internet in terms of UK supply chains or indeed some well-known DIY retailers and they have told me that the availability of devices has improved and that the cost is around that £200 mark where they are fitted themselves. I also understand about people who might struggle and that's why Cairin Repair Services have dealt with just short of 2,500 inquiries about fire alarms since September of last year and have been supporting people either through the installation of them or subsidised alarms to make sure that people can get them who would be struggling. So I think that we have done what we can and just finally on this point local authorities through COSLA have said that they will be taking a very much a light touch in terms of the enforcement of this. Local authorities will not be knocking at the doors of people's homes to check whether they have these newly installed fire alarms because we recognise that some people will take a bit longer and they will have a reasonable period of time to comply but I think that we all have a duty as elected members to reiterate the importance of households fitting these alarms as quickly as they can. Can I remind all members who wish to ask a question that they should check that their cards are in and that the request to speak buttons are pressed? I call Eleanor Whitham to be followed by Alexander Stewart. As the cabinet secretary said in her statement, the law has come about as a result of the tragic disaster at Grenfell that led to the deaths of 72 people. Can the cabinet secretary outline what evidence the Scottish Government used to determine that these regulations will protect lives? Cabinet secretary, we have looked at the expert advice that has been given to us and it was on the back of the work that was done back post Grenfell by the expert group in terms of recommendations that could be made that would help to improve fire safety that these interconnected alarms were recommended. As I said in my statement again, it had huge backing from the public and the duty is upon us to do what we can. One death from a preventable fire in a home is one death too many. If those devices can help to save lives then surely that is something that we should all support. Alexander Stewart is to be followed by Kenneth Gibson. Age Scotland has highlighted for much of the last year that there has been continued anxiety among the public regarding trades people into their homes, particularly among older people due to the spread of the new strains of Covid. Does the cabinet secretary agree that the prevalence of the virus for much of the last year means that it is simply not reasonable to expect people to meet the February deadline? I appreciate the concerns that have been expressed by Alexander Stewart. That is why, in those circumstances where it is reasonable for those reasons that he cites that someone does not feel comfortable or perhaps have been shielding, that is a reasonable proposition as to why they would not be able to meet those deadlines. We understand that. As I have said throughout this, local authorities at the end of the year, the enforcement agency, understand that too and are going to take that light touch approach to make sure that, if people need a bit more time to get them installed, whether it is for that reason or any other reasonable reasons, that is accepted. I think that it is important. Hopefully, with the Q&A that MSPs will get in terms of the information that I will provide, that will help to answer some of those constituent inquiries. Can the cabinet secretary advise us to how many lives the full implementation of this specific measure would be expected to save in a year? For those who are unable to install themselves, given the current number of installers who are unevenly spread across Scotland, how long does she anticipate it will take to install alarms in every owner-occupied house across the country? As I said earlier, 52 per cent of domestic fire incidents a smoke alarm had alerted documents to the fact that there was a fire giving people a greater chance of escape. Interlinked fire and smoke alarms increased the chance of being alerted more quickly by all going off simultaneously regardless of where the fire starts. That will undoubtedly mean that more people are alerted earlier and more lives will be saved in Scotland each year. It is hard to put a figure on that, but certainly that is the advice that we have been given by the experts. The numbers of people who are complying and how quickly people will get those alarms fitted. I suspect that the vast majority of people will have them fitted before the 1 February deadline. We will know that as we get the household survey carried out over the next period. However, we recognise that a small number of people will require longer. As I have said in answer to previous questions, it is important that people are given a reasonable period of time to comply. We will be monitoring that situation going forward. The Scottish Labour freedom of information request revealed that half a million pound funding for care repairs to provide this institution has helped little barely 800 people. Can the Cabinet Secretary say how many people have been supported so far in Edinburgh, not at the end of the financial year, given an estimate of the number of households in Edinburgh, who are still to comply with the regulation and make sure that funding is given so that all low-income, disabled and pensioners households can comply? The answer that I gave previously showed that care and repair services across Scotland have supported in one way or another around 2,500 people. I do not have the figure specifically for Edinburgh, but I am happy to write to the member if that information exists at that detail, and I am happy to write to him if that would be helpful. As previously mentioned, the standards for the interlinked alarms were set nearly 15 years ago for new builds and nearly a decade ago for the private sector. I agree that all houses should have the same standards. Why did those regulations take longer to introduce? In 2013, the Scottish Government published a sustainable housing strategy with a commitment to develop a new cross-10-year standard for housing. We have engaged with stakeholders since then to develop our proposal for a new housing standard for Scotland, based on housing as a human right. We will seek views on that in a public consultation later this year. Following the tragic fire at Grenfell in 2016, we made a commitment to accelerate the fire alarm elements of the new standard, and the regulations that were introduced to the Parliament in 2018 will achieve that aim. The minister must really stop saying that the alarms can be installed for £220 or less. The figures are often far, far higher, and she knows that all too well. Is not this a prime example of the Government's ability to talk a good game but its inability to deliver? The opposition even gave the Government an extra year to get this done, but it still was not possible. Lives could be at risk, so what has the Government got so badly wrong with the installation of this programme? I do not accept that characterisation at all. I think that there was a delay for good reasons because of Covid, and that was supported across the chamber. I have made clear that £220 is for the purchase of the alarm system. Of course, the installation costs would be on top of that, however, most households will be able to install the alarms themselves. However, because of disability, age or whatever other issues, people require support. That is why we gave £1.5 million to care and repair and to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service in order to help those more vulnerable people to be able to get those alarms installed. I would have thought that that is something that Willie Rennie would support. A number of constituents have been in contact raising their concerns in relation to understanding their alarm requirements, availability and cost. Although I welcome the assurance that the council enforcement will be like touch, can the cabinet secretary set out how the Scottish Government will track progress on meeting the standard? As I said earlier, the Scottish House conditions survey collects information on homes and minimum standards for housing. The legislation will add adequate provision of fire alarms to that minimum standard. Future iterations of the survey will collect data on compliance with the element of housing standards. I thank the cabinet secretary for her statement. I do not know where her officials shop, but I have just checked that every B&Q in Edinburgh has no availability until after the date, so perhaps she could go back and ask her officials where they shop. I am interested in the cabinet secretary's a bit more time and a reasonable time to see perhaps clarify what that means in factors. Is it days, weeks or months? I was clear when I said in my answer previously that in terms of online retailers with UK supply chains, and I mentioned DIY retailers. I take the point that Jeremy Balfour makes about Edinburgh, but there are online retailers available with UK supply chains that are able to supply these devices. My officials have checked on a regular basis and checked as of this morning. I would have thought that Jeremy Balfour and other members would be wanting to focus on first of all supporting people to comply where they can, but also to make sure in the dialogue with constituents that we are reassuring people on the points that I have said that if people need more time and if they are struggling to get a device because of the availability issues in their local area, that is a reasonable reason for having to have more time. A reasonable period in legislation is never defined, as Jeremy Balfour will know. It is a reasonable period in the circumstances that the individual has, but I would hope that Jeremy Balfour and others will reassure people that they will not be criminalised, that they will not be hounded by the local authority in terms of enforcement, but we would expect them, when they can, at the earliest opportunity to prioritise putting in those potentially life-saving alarms. Ariane Burgess, by Fiona Hyslop. I thank the cabinet secretary for advance sight of her statement, and I welcome the introduction of these regulations next month. Everyone should have at least this level of protection in their homes, regardless of tenure. I ask the cabinet secretary to say a little more about the implications of non-compliance, as there are no penalties for non-compliance other than missing out on potentially life-saving measures. What are the key issues that people need to be aware of if they do not follow the regulations? Well, the key issue is that their safety is not as enhanced as those who have these interlinked fire safety devices. We know from the experts that have told us that that potentially could save lives, and therefore the message from all of us, I would have thought first and foremost, is that people should comply as quickly as they can. The member is right that there are no penalties as such for non-compliance. The local authorities have the duty to ensure compliance, but they are not going to do that in a knocking on people's doors way. We are expecting people to take that measure as a priority as home owners to put that perhaps above other things in relation to the installation of the fire alarms. We understand some of the issues that will require people to have more time to do that. As I have explained in answer to a number of questions now, what those reasonable excuses or reasons for needing more time would be, and the message to people is to do it as quickly as they can, because it could be life-saving for them and their families. Many local authorities, including whistled in council, have removed care and repair services and some constituents tell me that installers are scarce. Important shortages are a delayed delivery of already-ordered alarms to them and costs of living pressures are causing practical and financial challenges. Are there any other proactive actions that can help to resolve the real challenges facing some, but by no means all, to get private sector dwellings up to the same and important safety standards as other sectors, including, for example, some very public statement of assurance from the Association of British Insurers and where this leaves people in coming weeks? First of all, all local authorities have broad discretionary powers to provide assistance to home owners where work is needed to look after homes or to meet statutory standards. Local authorities best place to decide what assistance is provided to meet local priorities using local resources. The additional support that we have provided to care and repair services is targeted to assist owners who are least able to fit alarms themselves, and it is not intended to be a substitute for local initiatives where those local initiatives have been taken forward by the local authority. In terms of any statements by ABI, my understanding is that they have been communicating actively with their members to make them aware. I am happy to keep that regular dialogue with ABI in terms of anything more that they can do in terms of public-facing messages as part of the lead-up to those requirements from 1 February. I call Christine Grahame, and then I will call Grahame Simpson, who will be the last MSP that I am able to call. I would ask for succinct questions and answers, so I can get you both in. Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. The cabinet secretary is aware that I wrote to last year raising many of the concerns that have been iterated here today. I welcome her statement. However, £200 is an optimistic figure even for just the kit. Some people are paying £500 for supply and fit for a two-up, two-down. Can therefore the cabinet secretary advise how vulnerable and elderly can access the financial support that she has mentioned from the fire and rescue service? I was not aware that they were providing it. Again, I will make sure that that information is included in the circular that is going to MSPs, but between care and repair and the fire and rescue service, they are providing practical advice and support to vulnerable people. We have had very good feedback from both in terms of that support, but I will make sure that that level of information is included in the information after this for brevity. The penalty for non-compliance will come if people have insurance claims turned down because they have not got the alarms. Is the cabinet secretary seriously saying that that will not happen? I am asking the member to remember what this is about. It is about the installation of devices that the experts have told us could potentially save lives. I would have thought that that was the overriding concern and priority for every member of this Parliament. I could not have been clearer what the ABI has said about insurance. It is a requirement to have working fire alarms. They do not specify the standards for those. They have been clear. That is what the industry has told us. At the end of the day, everybody should make sure that they get in touch with their own insurance company if they have concerns. Perhaps some members—whether it is Graham Simpson or anyone else—would have at least welcomed the fact that this is a measure that could potentially save lives. I find it extraordinary that members seem to be against those measures being brought in. I find that extraordinary. I would hope that, in your communication with constituents, your first part of your communication is to reiterate the importance of complying, because that could be a life-saving measure. That is what I would ask you all to do. The information that I will provide after this statement will help you in order to make sure that you provide accurate information to your constituents. There will be a very short pause before we move on to the next item of business.