The Scottish Government has published a consultation on the enforcement of the Temporary Accommodation Standards Framework.

The consultation is looking at views on making a Temporary Accommodation Standards Framework (TASF) legally enforceable. 

Consultation Questions

Question 1. Do you think the physical standards set out in the TASF are appropriate and sufficient to ensure that temporary accommodation provides an adequate, safe and secure space for the household?

Question 2. Please tell us whether there are any additional physical standards that you think should be added to this framework.

Question 3. Do you think that the definition of the physical standards is clear or are there some standards that could be clarified or explained in more detail to aid understanding?

Question 4. Do you think that any of the physical standards should NOT be included in the TASF?

Question 5. In 2020, article 7A was inserted into the Unsuitable Accommodation Order 2014. This set out circumstances where community hosting, rapid access accommodation and shared tenancy accommodation is deemed NOT to be unsuitable accommodation, provided that the household does not include a pregnant woman, a child or a person who exercises parental rights in respect of a child who does not form part of the household. Do you think that the accommodation prescribed under article 7A provides suitable accommodation for certain homeless households?

Question 6. Do you think the location standards set out in the TASF set out are relevant and fit for purpose?

Question 7. Please tell us whether there are any additional location standards that you think should be added to this framework.

Question 8. Do you think that the definition of the location standards is clear or are there some standards that could be clarified or explained in more detail to aid understanding?

Question 9. Do you think that any of the location standards should NOT be included in the TASF?

Question 10. Do you think the service standards set out in the TASF are relevant and fit for purpose?

Question 11. Please tell us if there are any additional service standards that you think should be added to this framework.

Question 12. Do you think that the definition of the service standards is clear or are there some standards that could be clarified or explained in more detail to aid understanding?

Question 13. Do you think that any of the service standards should NOT be included in the TASF?

Question 14. Do you think the management standards set out in the TASF are relevant and fit for purpose?

Question 15. Please tell us whether there are any additional management standards that you think should be added to this framework.

Question 16. Do you think that the definition of the management standards is clear or are there some standards that could be clarified or explained in more detail to aid understanding?

Question 17. Do you think that any of the management standards should NOT be included in the TASF?

Question 18. Do you agree that the TASF should be legally enforced?

Question 19. Do you agree that it would be appropriate for the TASF to be included within the Charter when it is reviewed in 2027?

Question 20. Do you agree with the proposal for the SHR to monitor social landlords’ performance of the TASF?

Question 21. It is possible that some local authorities may not be able to meet the new TASF when introduced. Do you think that there should be sanctions, such as penalties or fines, applied to those local authorities that fail to meet the TASF?

Question 22. Please tell us about any other approaches or options you think would be appropriate to implement to ensure that local authorities/RSLs adhere to the TASF.

Question 23. Do you agree with the proposal to review, and update as necessary, the TASF broadly in alignment with the review of the Charter?

Question 24. Do you agree with the proposal for a formal evaluation of the implementation of the TASF after three years?

The consultation can be found at A consultation on the enforcement of the Temporary Accommodation Standards Framework - Scottish Government consultations - Citizen Space

Closing date for responses is 28 January 2026.

The Scottish Government and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) are seeking your views on the future of council tax in Scotland.

Council tax is a vital source of funding for local services such as schools, social care, roads, libraries and waste collection. The council tax system has remained largely unchanged since its introduction over 30 years ago.

This consultation forms part of a joint programme of work led by the Scottish Government and COSLA which is seeking to build consensus on reforms to council tax. The aim of this consultation is to gather views from individuals, households, communities, and organisations across Scotland on potential approaches to reform.

The key areas under consideration include:

• Updating the market reference point (currently based on values as at 1991) to reflect current market values and modernise the tax base.
• Exploring approaches to revaluation, including localised revaluation where band thresholds could differ by council area to reflect local housing markets.
• Introducing options for new council tax bands at the top and bottom of the scale to ensure the system is more progressive and proportionate, or to smooth the differences between tax rates.
• Considering transitional measures such as phased implementation and deferral options to help households adjust to any changes, as well as reductions to support lower-income households.

The findings from this consultation, together with the wider programme of engagement, will help support informed public debate and further consideration in the Scottish Parliament.

The consultation can be found at The Future of Council Tax in Scotland - Scottish Government consultations - Citizen Space

Closing date for responses is 30 January 2026.

This Call for Evidence represents the next step in exploring how the reforms identified above could be taken forward, to further incentivise and increase investment. It seeks to gather more detailed evidence on how the business rates system influences business investment decisions.

This evidence will be used to inform policy development and design.

This Call for Evidence covers the following areas:

• Chapter 2: Further information about you or the stakeholders you represent

• Chapter 3: The role of business rates in investment decisions

• Chapter 4: Transforming Business Rates: reforms to incentivise investment

• Chapter 5: Valuations on the receipts and expenditure (R&E) methodology

The consultation can be found at Business_Rates_and_investment_Call_for_Evidence.pdf

Closing date for responses is 18 February 2026.

The government is giving Mayoral Strategic Authorities in England the power to create local overnight visitor levies.

They are seeking views on the design of the new power including: 

• whether Foundation Strategic Authorities should also have the power to create overnight visitor levies
• how any revenues collected should be used
• the types of accommodation that will and will not be included
• how levy rates should be calculated and the powers Strategic Authorities have to change them
• what Strategic Authorities need to do to introduce a levy and to change it​
• liability for the levy and how this will be assessed
• the administrative framework for overnight visitor levies, including options to minimise regulatory requirements
• equalities impacts​

The consultation can be found at Visitor levy in England - GOV.UK

Closing date for responses is 18 February 2026.

On 18 November, the Minister of Finance announced that he intended to consult on changes to support for small businesses, outlining his view that the Small Business Rate Relief scheme currently provides vital support for operating costs for small businesses.

The Minister’s full statement can be accessed below:-

Finance Minister Oral Statement - Rating Policy Update on Strategic Road Map

The published consultation paper now serves to provide further background to the Small Business Rate Relief scheme and outlines the potential policy options for any revisions to the scheme.  The Department is seeking views from businesses and stakeholders on these options before any policy proposals are put to Ministers on any future enhancement to the support. 

The consultation can be found at https://www.finance-ni.gov.uk/consultations/small-business-rate-relief-sbrr-options

Closing date for responses is 29 January 2026.