Tavish Scott

15 Dec 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reported comments by the Scottish Local Government Partnership that “massive failings” have been exposed in the Scottish Government's education plans, and that pupils have been let down.

Answer · John Swinney: Through the Scottish Attainment Challenge the Scottish Government is focused on achieving equity in the educational outcomes of children and young people, with a particular focus on closing the poverty-related attainment gap. From April, £120 million will be…

15 Dec 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the finding in the 2016 End of Cycle Report by UCAS that the cap on Scottish university funded places is negatively affecting Scottish applicants.

Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: At no point does the UCAS 2016 End of Cycle Report state that a cap on Scottish university funded places is affecting Scottish applicants. The report shows an all-time record high number of Scottish domiciled students gaining a place at our universities thro…

15 Dec 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason there has been a 65% increase in the number of requests for paper remarking or checks by the Scottish Qualifications Authority.

Answer · John Swinney: The number of requests to the SQA’s Post Results Service in 2016 needs to be seen in the context of the introduction of a new service from 2014. Whilst the 13,908 requests made in 2016 represents a 64.6% increase on the 8,448 requests made in 2014, it is a m…

15 Dec 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the finding in the 2016 End of Cycle Report by UCAS that university places will need to rise to meet demand, what (a) action it is taking and (b) discussions it has had with Scottish universities to address this.

Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: We can see no finding in the UCAS 2016 End of Cycle Report which states that ‘university places will need to rise to meet demand’. However, the report does show an all-time record high number of Scottish domiciled students gaining a place at our universities …

15 Dec 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its commitment to ensure that nurseries in the most deprived areas benefit from an additional qualified teacher or graduate by 2018.

Answer · Mark McDonald: The Scottish Government believes that children must have access to highly qualified staff with expertise in early childhood learning and development – and that this is particularly vital for those facing particular disadvantages. That is why we are committed …

13 Dec 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that funding from its Legacy Fund will continue to support schemes initiated by the Scottish Professional Football League Trust regarding (a) mental health, (b) obesity and (c) employability.

Answer · Aileen Campbell: The SPFL Trust’s Legacy 2014 Supporting Communities Programme was supported in 2013-14 by £500,000 of Scottish Government funding and demonstrated the power of football to reach out to people and change lives. Whilst funding for the programme ended in March 2…

13 Dec 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it will continue to promote awareness of mental health issues within sport.

Answer · Aileen Campbell: Through its high performance lifestyle programme, sportscotland, the national agency for sport, provides a tailored coaching and mentoring service that supports performance athletes to manage the changes, challenges and choices that enable them to focus on pe…

8 Dec 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it expects to receive the final report on the consultation carried out by Peter Brett Associates on ferry fares between the Scottish mainland and Orkney and Shetland.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The recent consultation exercises carried out by consultants PBA were held to give those who use the services a voice, and an opportunity to feed into the process. Peter Brett Associates (PBA) have now completed the Fares Consultation on ferry fares for Nort…

7 Dec 2016 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many eligible farmers and crofters have received a letter explaining their entitlements under the 2015 Basic Payment Scheme.

6 Dec 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-04911 by Mark McDonald on 1 December 2016, what the compliance rates are for mandatory staff to child ratios in nursery schools, broken down by local authority.

Answer · Mark McDonald: Scottish Government does not collect information on rates of compliance for mandatory staff: child ratios in early learning and childcare settings. The Care Inspectorate regulates and inspects care services in Scotland to make sure that they meet the right s…

5 Dec 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what role further education institutions will play in the allocation of the Apprenticeship Levy.

Answer · Jamie Hepburn: Colleges already deliver a proportion of our Modern Apprenticeships starts each year. Colleges Scotland are members of the Frameworks and Standards Group and the Scottish Apprenticeship Advisory board. Our spending plans on apprenticeships, skills, employabi…

5 Dec 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-04942 by Michael Russell on 1 December 2016, by what date it will publish each specific proposal.

Answer · Michael Russell: The Scottish Government expects to publish proposals to protect Scotland’s place in Europe and keep us in the single market before the end of 2016.

1 Dec 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the rate of successful Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) grant applicants with dyslexia has been compared with other forms of disability in each year since 2010-11.

Answer · John Swinney: The following table shows the rate of successful Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) applications for Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) with the declared disability type of dyslexia, compared to other disability types since 2011-12. The data for 2010-11 is…

1 Dec 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-03845 by Mark McDonald on 3 November 2016, whether it will provide the minutes of the meeting of the Early Learning and Childcare Strategic Forum of 17 November 2016.

Answer · Mark McDonald: Minutes of ELC Strategic Forum meetings are currently shared among member organisations only, however we are reviewing this approach with a view to publishing future minutes online, subject to the agreement of Forum members.

1 Dec 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government further to the answer to question S5W-04688 by John Swinney on 17 November 2016, whether it will provide the minutes of each meeting and the actions that were discussed at these.

Answer · John Swinney: The Working Group on Headteacher Recruitment is co-chaired with COSLA and its membership includes trade unions, Headteacher associations, Association of directors of education in scotland , the Scottish College for Educational Leadership and the Scottish Cath…

25 Nov 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much has been awarded each year under the Study in Europe Portability Pilot; what the average award has been, and how many applications have been (a) received and (b) accepted.

Answer · John Swinney: The following table shows the number of applications received and accepted by Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) from students undertaking a course as part of the European Portability Pilot. The table also shows the total amount of funding awarded by SAAS…

24 Nov 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government further to the answer to question S5W-04683 by John Swinney on 22 November 2016, what is meant by "local intelligence".

Answer · John Swinney: Local intelligence is information gathered informally from local authorities to inform the teacher workforce planning exercise which does not form part of any Scottish Government formal statistical collection.

23 Nov 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5O-00370 by John Swinney on 23 November 2016 (Official Report, c. 6), by what date it will provide full details of the planned changes to the boards of the skills and enterprise organisations.

Answer · John Swinney: Phase 2 of the Enterprise and Skills Review will consider the implementation of Phase 1 recommendations. This includes the recommendation to create a Scotland wide Statutory Board for Skills Development Scotland, Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Ent…

23 Nov 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5O-00370 by John Swinney on 23 November 2016 (Official Report, c. 6), what action it will take to insure that academic independence will remain unchanged under the new overarching board’s remit of managing the responsibilities of the Scottish Funding C…

Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government is committed to the autonomy of Scotland’s universities and no action is required to affirm it as a result of the Enterprise and Skills Review and the establishment of a strategic board for overseeing the work of the SFC and that of ot…

23 Nov 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5O-00370 by John Swinney on 23 November 2016 (Official Report, c. 6), what impact the abolition of the board of (a) Highlands and Islands Enterprise, (b) Scottish Enterprise, (c) Skills Development Scotland and (d) the Scottish Funding Council will hav…

Answer · John Swinney: As part of Phase 2 of the Enterprise and Skills Review which began on 1 November 2016 we will focus on developing and implementing the Phase 1 decision to bring greater integration and focus to the delivery of our enterprise and skills support by creating a n…

22 Nov 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement by Michael Russell on 15 November 2016 (Official Report c. 67) that it is possible for Scotland to make a deal with Europe “that is both political and legal”, what arrangements with the EU it is considering that meet those conditions.

Answer · Michael Russell: The Scottish Government is exploring all options to secure Scotland’s interests, and to protect its relationship with the EU and our place in the single market. Specific proposals will be tabled in the coming weeks.

21 Nov 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the recent research by Save the Children suggesting that 88% of teachers surveyed said that children who start P1 with delayed speech and language skills fall behind others in their learning, find it hard to express thoughts or ideas, and struggle to learn to read.

Answer · Mark McDonald: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-04912 on 1 December 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusines…

21 Nov 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the average nursery class size has been in each year since 2010-11, broken down by local authority.

Answer · Mark McDonald: The Scottish Government does not collect information on class size for nursery schools. Mandatory staff:child ratios, set through the National Care Standards, are applied across all nursery settings and ensure that all children receive an appropriate level of…

21 Nov 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that the number of teachers in early years schools and nurseries is sufficient.

Answer · Mark McDonald: Decisions regarding how teachers are involved in the delivery of early learning and childcare (ELC) is the responsibility of local authorities. However, it is a requirement of the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) that every manager/lead practitioner o…

21 Nov 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the recent research by Save the Children suggesting that primary school teachers want to see more investment made in the early years to support children’s speech and language skills.

Answer · Mark McDonald: I refer the member to the answer to question S5F-00517 on 24 November 2016. All answers to First Minster’s Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the official report can be viewed at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/report.aspx?r…

21 Nov 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what criteria it used to develop the timeline on page 13 of its document, Scotland: A European Nation.

Answer · Michael Russell: I refer the member to the answer to S5W-04895 on 1 December 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.as…

21 Nov 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government which (a) historians, (b) academics, (c) experts and (d) other stakeholders it consulted when drafting its document, Scotland: A European Nation; whether they advised that the draft document omitted key information and, if so, (i) what this information was and (ii) whether it chose to su…

Answer · Michael Russell: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-04895 on 1 December 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness…

21 Nov 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, whether its document, Scotland: A European Nation, will be submitted to the Culture, Tourism, Europe and External Relations Committee as part of its inquiry on the EU referendum and its implications for Scotland.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-04895 on 1 December 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness…

21 Nov 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether its document, Scotland: A European Nation, accurately reflects the diverse character of the country’s political history.

Answer · Michael Russell: I refer the member to the answer to S5W-04895 on 1 December 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.as…

21 Nov 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason its timeline of 1,000 years of the Scottish constitution in chapter 4 of its document, Scotland: A European Nation, does not make reference to the (a) 1975 EEC referendum and the positions taken by Scotland's political parties at that time and (b) A Claim of Right for Sco…

Answer · Michael Russell: The Scottish Government published, Scotland: A European Nation, on 21 November, to outline Scotland’s extensive historic engagement with Europe, and its present democratic and constitutional position in relation to the UK. The document also aims to increase u…