Parliamentary questions

Rhona Brankin

707 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.

26 Mar 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to deliver reduced class sizes for primaries one, two and three to 18 pupils or fewer during the parliamentary session.

Answer · Keith Brown: Under the terms of the concordat local government will as quickly as is possible, reduce class sizes in P1 to P3 to a maximum of 18. Taking into account retirals, the capacity of the universities to train new teachers, changing demographic trends, and the dif…

26 Mar 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it plans to maintain teacher numbers at 2007 levels.

Answer · Keith Brown: Under the terms of the concordat sufficient funding has been provided to maintain teacher numbers at 2007 levels. The Scottish Government has regular meetings with the Convention of Scottish Local authorities to discuss progress on concordat commitments.

26 Mar 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is committed to the SNP manifesto pledge to maintain teacher numbers at 2007 levels.

Answer · Keith Brown: Under the terms of the concordat sufficient resource was provided to maintain teacher numbers at 2007 levels for the purpose of reducing class sizes.

26 Mar 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the real-terms increases in education spending were in each year since 2000.

Answer · Keith Brown: Details are as follows: Total Gross Revenue Expenditure on School Education by Local Authorities at 2007-08 Prices (£000) <table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 > <thead> <tr > <td > Year </td> <td > …

26 Mar 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether real-terms expenditure on secondary schools in 2007-08 represented an unprecedented investment in Scottish education.

Answer · Keith Brown: The recently published figures on education expenditure by local authorities in 2007-08 do show an unprecedented investment in Scottish education, with total expenditure rising in real terms to the record level of £4.7 billion. Spending per head of s…

26 Mar 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it would consider it appropriate to use the full-time equivalent measure to compare the number of General Teaching Council for Scotland registered nursery teachers over the last two years.

Answer · Adam Ingram: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-21694 on 18 March 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/…

18 Mar 2009 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what meetings are planned between ministers and leaders of local authorities to discuss education.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop : This question was answered in the Chamber. The answer can be viewed in the Official Report using the following link: <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-09/sor0326-01.htm">http://www.scot…

12 Mar 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to ensure that young people can stay in care until they are 18.

Answer · Adam Ingram: Scottish Government guidance is clear that young people should continue to be looked after until 18, if that is in their best interest. We know that too many young people are leaving care before they have the necessary supports in place to make a successful a…

9 Mar 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its statisticians consider is the most accurate way of measuring the number of General Teaching Council for Scotland registered nursery teachers in order to allow comparison between 2007 and 2008.

Answer · Adam Ingram: The full-time equivalent (FTE) and head count measures provide alternative ways of comparing the number of General Teaching Council for Scotland registered nursery teachers over time. Which measure is chosen depends upon the purpose of the comparison.

5 Mar 2009 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to give communities a greater say in the provision of local bus services.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: This question was answered in the Chamber. The answer can be viewed in the Official Report using the following link: <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-09/sor0305-01.htm">http://www.scot…

16 Feb 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on the reasons for the training allowance for long-term unemployed people in Scotland being £1,500 less than that in England.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The UK Government recently announced that up to £2,500 would be available to employers recruiting those who were over six months unemployed. This comprises £1,000 from the Department for Work and Pensions as a golden hello, and £1,500 through Train to Gain. T…

13 Feb 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that the absence of a Train to Gain scheme in Scotland puts businesses at a competitive disadvantage to their English counterparts.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: A recent Ofsted evaluation of Train to Gain demonstrates that despite significant levels of funding and uptake by employers, there was little evidence of Train to Gain driving an increased demand from employers for training. A previous evaluation had indicate…

13 Feb 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how much it receives in Barnett consequentials from the UK Government in respect of the Train to Gain scheme.

Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government receives Barnett consequentials on any changes to funding for comparable spending in Whitehall Departments. It is then for Scottish ministers to decide how these funds should be allocated in Scotland. As spending review consequentials …

13 Feb 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to act to prevent closure of Midlothian Healthy Living Project on 31 March 2009 and, if so, what action it will take.

Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Government announced on 23 February 2009 that it would extend the transition funding for healthy living centres for another year to the end of March 2010. This funding is intended to support the continuation of those healthy living centr…

13 Feb 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it recognises the important role that Midlothian Healthy Living Project plays in developing healthy lifestyles and preventing ill-health in Midlothian.

Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Government recognises the valuable contribution that community health initiatives can make to encouraging healthy lifestyle choices, improving health and reducing health inequalities. We also recognise that community health initiatives m…

12 Feb 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list the sources and amounts of funding for the Determined to Succeed programme, broken down by local authority.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government has made available a total of £153 million for delivery of Determined to Succeed since the inception of the programme in 2003-04 to the end of the current spending review period. Of this, £127.8 million has been allocated to local auth…

12 Feb 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many Schools of Ambition are continuing with their programmes.

Answer · Keith Brown: The first tranche of 21 schools are already reflecting on their experiences and considering how they will sustain ambition and change beyond their three years on the programme. They will also be involved in future events designed to share learning from the pr…

12 Feb 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether there has been a final evaluation of the Schools of Ambition programme.

Answer · Keith Brown: No, because the Schools of Ambition programme has another year to run.

12 Feb 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has published a report on the Schools of Ambition conference.

Answer · Keith Brown: A report on emerging learning and lessons from the first year of the Schools of Ambition programme, Research to Support Schools of Ambition, Annual Report 2007 was published in December 2007. It was presented at the two conferences for local authority…

12 Feb 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Schools of Ambition conference has taken place.

Answer · Keith Brown: Two conferences were held on 4 and 12 June 2008 for local authority representatives and school staff to share emerging lessons from the Schools of Ambition Programme.

11 Feb 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, in the 60th year of the Scottish Parent Teacher Council, whether it recognises the value of an independent voice for parents.

Answer · Keith Brown: We do recognise the importance of parents having such a voice. Adam Ingram acknowledged the good work of the Scottish Parent Teacher Council when he addressed their 60th anniversary conference last November.

5 Feb 2009 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it recognises the national importance of the Scottish Mining Museum.

Answer · Linda Fabiani : This question was answered in the Chamber. The answer can be viewed in the Official Report using the following link: <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-09/sor0205-01.htm">http://www.scot…

4 Feb 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-19440 by Rhona Brankin on 6 January 2009, when it expects the options regarding the proposed relocation of the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) from Dalkeith to have been considered and a decision on the relocation to be made.

Answer · Keith Brown: This matter is under consideration by ministers and a decision is expected to be announced shortly.

4 Feb 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that the current office accommodation for the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) in Dalkeith is fit for purpose.

Answer · Keith Brown: Scottish ministers are currently considering a range of options regarding the future of the Scottish Qualifications Authority''s Dalkeith operations. Any decisions made will take account of the suitability of the current building.

4 Feb 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment has been made of the fabric of the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) buildings in Dalkeith.

21 Jan 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executivewhether it will provide an estimate of the financial contribution that the employment of 231 Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) staff in Dalkeith makes to the Midlothian economy.

Answer · Maureen Watt: The information sought is not available.

21 Jan 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the median annual salary is for the 231 staff employed by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) in Midlothian.

Answer · Maureen Watt: This is a matter for the Scottish Qualifications Authority. The information is not held centrally.

21 Jan 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the wage bill is for the 231 staff employed by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) in Midlothian.

Answer · Maureen Watt: This is a matter for the Scottish Qualifications Authority. The information is not held centrally.

15 Jan 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how the Schools to go Greener initiative has been integrated into the Curriculum for Excellence and initiatives, such as eco schools.

Answer · Maureen Watt: Schools Renewables Development Officers are working with Learning and Teaching Scotland (LTS) to ensure that the educational implications and benefits of the package of measures announced on 5 January are most effectively integrated into the Curriculum for Ex…

15 Jan 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list the names of the public bodies that have chairs who are also serving councillors, also showing the names of such chairs.

Answer · John Swinney: The details, including the occupations and any declared political activity, of all public appointees on the boards of OCPAS regulated public bodies are shown on the Public Bodies Directory pages in the Scottish Government website. The link to the directory is…