 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'm clear that it's not right to delay the legislation that is designed to protect and save lives. Ensuring people are safe from risk of fire in their homes is a key priority for the Scottish Government. These 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. This legislation brings all homes to the same standard. For example, it ensures that social rented homes have the same fire standards, 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 also go off, which of course means, for example, 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. Whilst they can be wired into homes, most are the same as fire alarms 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 to 2018, 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 this 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 installed 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 those 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. However, I know 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 homes 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 home owners to have appropriate alarms fitted. Second, it is local authorities who have the duty for ensuring compliance with the 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 home owners to make these 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 have 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. Part of that work 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 introducing 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 this 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 and that is why we remain committed to bringing in these new standards from 1 February 2022. I hope that I have already provided reassurance to the need for these measures to improve fire safety in all types of home and to protect lives, but 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. I would assure people that this is not the case. We have engaged proactively with the Association of British Insurers throughout the legislative process and they have ensured that their 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 these 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 this 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 home, 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 speak button now or to enter our in the chatroom. I call Miles Briggs. 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 these 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 the 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 can I ask the cabinet secretary why, in this case, given that the actual Covid restrictions are not going to be lifted until Monday, when she hasn't heard that call again? Can I also ask specifically how many households now does the cabinet secretary believe in Scotland still need to have these devices fitted? It's really important, given the fact that this comes into force in just 13 days' time. First of all, to Miles Briggs, the important thing here is to get on with supporting and encouraging homeowners to put in those devices that could potentially save lives. I hope that we all agree on the importance of that. In terms of 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 people are asking some questions around this that awareness is high. In terms of the question he asked about how many, as I answered 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. Again, I would just reiterate that 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. That is for homeowners and it is really important that homeowners prioritise getting these devices installed because it literally could save lives. Mark Griffin. We support the vital fire safety improvement, but if homeowners can't comply, then this measure won't start saving the lives we hope it will. The pensioner who called me yesterday panicking their insurance will be invalidated was the latest who wants to comply but can't get the kit until March. The Association of British Insurers have said that insurers will expect that households are compliant with any legislation, but it is not likely to ask questions about specific standards but 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 maybe not being likely to ask questions doesn't give homeowners the assurance that they deserve. Letting that happen when so many homeowners can't get access to alarms is bad policy, so will the cabinet secretary informally 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 are devices that have the potential to save lives and I don't think it would be right and if I had had a further delay I think questions would be quite rightly being asked of me that given these are life-saving devices is it right to delay those regulations coming in? So I don't think it's right to delay but I do recognise the issues that the member quite rightly raises. So let me reiterate again around the work that we've done with the Association of British Insurers who understand these issues very well indeed and that's why they have been discussing with their members and ensuring their members are aware of the changes and have stated very clearly that while insurers may ask customers about 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 Cairan repair services have dealt with just short of two and a half thousand 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. 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 Elena 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 and it had as I said in my statement again had huge backing from the public and I think it saw the duties upon us to do what we can. One death from a preventable fire in a home is one death too many and if these devices can help to save lives then surely that is something we should all support. Alexander Stewart to be followed by Kenneth Gibson. Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. Age Scotland has highlighted for much of the last year that there has been continued anxiety amongst the public regarding trades people into their homes particularly amongst 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 and 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 and as I have said throughout this local authorities which at the end of the year the enforcement agency understand that too and are going to be taking that light touch approach at the time to get them installed whether it is for that reason or any other reasonable reasons then that is accepted and I think it is important and 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. Kenneth Gibson to be followed by Fausal Chadwick. Thank you, Presiding Officer. Can the cabinet secretary advise us and 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 in 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 and this undoubtedly will mean 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. In terms of the numbers of people complying and how quickly people will get those alarms I suspect that the vast majority of people will have them fitted before the 1st of February deadline will know that as we get the household survey being carried out over the next period but we do recognise that a small number of people will require longer and as I said in answer to previous questions I think it's important that people are given a reasonable period of time to comply and of course we'll be monitoring that situation going forward. For the child rights we've called it by Jackie Dunbar. Thank you Deputy Presiding Officer. The Scottish Labour freedom of information request revealed that half million pound funding for care repairs to provide this institution has helped little barely 800 people. Can the given 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? Well in answer to my previous the answer I gave previously showed that care and repair services across Scotland have supported in one way or another around two and a half thousand people I don't have the figure specifically for Edinburgh but I'm happy to write to the member if that information exists at that detail and I'm happy to write to him if that would be helpful. Jackie Dunbar to be followed by Willie Rennie. Thank you. As previously mentioned the standards for these interlinked alarms was set nearly 15 years ago for new builds and nearly a decade ago for the private sector and I agree all houses should have the same standards. Why did these regulations take longer to introduce? In 2013 the Scottish Government published a sustainable housing strategy with a commitment to develop a new cross-tenure standard for housing and we've engaged with stakeholders since then to develop our proposal for a new housing standard for Scotland based on housing as a human right and we'll be seeking views on that in a public consultation later this year but following the tragic fire at Grenfell in 2016 we made a commitment to accelerate the fire alarm elements of that new standard and the regulations that were introduced to this Parliament in 2018 will achieve that aim. Willie Rennie to be followed by Gordon MacDonald. 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. Isn't this a prime example of the Government's ability to talk a good game to deliver? The Opposition even gave the Government an extra year to get this done but it still wasn't possible. Lives could be at risk. So what has the Government got so badly wrong with the installation of this programme? Cabinet Secretary. I don't accept that characterisation at all. I think there was a delay for good reasons because of Covid and that was supported across this chamber. I've made clear that £220 is for the purchase of the alarm system. The installation cost, of course, would be on top of that. However, most households will be able to install those alarms themselves. But where, because of disability or age or whatever other issues people require to 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 Willie Rennie would support that. Gordon MacDonald, to be followed by Jeremy Balfour. A number of constituents have been in contact raising their concerns in relation to understanding their own alarm requirements, availability and cost. While 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 condition survey collects information on homes and minimum standards for housing. The legislation will add adequate provision of fire alarms to that minimum standard so future iterations of the survey will collect data on compliance with this element of housing standards. Willie Rennie I thank the cabinet secretary for her statement. I do not know where her officials shop but I have just checked that every being que in Edinburgh has no availability until after the date so perhaps you could go back and ask her officials where they shop. Secondly, I am interested in the cabinet secretary's a bit more time and a reasonable time. Could she perhaps clarify what she is saying? Is it days, weeks or months? Cabinet secretary Can I say to Jeremy Balfour 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 to supply devices. My officials have checked on a regular basis and checked as of this morning and 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 then 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 that individual has but I would hope that Jeremy Balfour and others will reassure people that they will not be criminalised they will not be hounded because of enforcement but we would expect them when they can, at the earliest opportunity to prioritise putting in these 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. The cabinet secretary said 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? 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 they 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 this measure as a priority as home owners to put this perhaps above other things in terms of the installation of these fire alarms. We understand some of the issues that will require people to have more time to do that and 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. Fiona Hyslop to be followed by Christine Grahame. Many local authorities including Wessels and Council have removed care and repair services. Some constituents tell me installers of scarce component shortages are delaying delivery of already ordered alarms to them and cost of living pressures are causing practical and financial challenges. Are there any other proactive actions which can help 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. I thank Fiona Hyslop for that question. 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 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 and I am able to call and I would ask please for succinct questions and answers so that 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 are in access to financial support that she has mentioned from the Fire and Rescue Service? I was not aware that they were providing it. Cabinet Secretary. 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 and we have had very good feedback from both in terms of that support and that level of information that is included in the information after this for brevity. Graham Simpson. I am very grateful. The penalty for non-compliance will come if people have insurance claims turned down because they have not got these alarms. Is the Cabinet Secretary seriously saying that that will not happen? Cabinet Secretary. What I am asking the member to do is to remember what this is about. This is about the installation of advice 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. In terms of insurance I could not have been clearer what the ABI has said about insurance that it is a requirement to have working fire alarms. They do not specify the standards for those. The industry has told us but at the end of the day everybody should make sure that they get in touch with their own insurance company if they have concerns. I would have thought 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 would hope that in your communication with constituents the first part of your communication is to reiterate the importance of complying because this could be a life-saving measure. That is what I would ask you all to do and 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. That concludes the statement and there will be a very short pause before we move on to the next item of business.