Plenary, 12 Jun 2008

Meeting date: Thursday, June 12, 2008

Official Report 1068KB pdf

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Question Time

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SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE

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General Questions

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North Lanarkshire (Pupil Attainment)

I draw to members' attention my entry in the register of members' interests.

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions are taking place with North Lanarkshire Council in respect of concerns highlighted in its audit of best value report about pupil attainment levels in secondary 3 to S6. (S3O-3718)

The quality of education in North Lanarkshire is a matter for the council. We expect North Lanarkshire Council to take the necessary action to secure continuous improvement in its schools, and our experience is that that is happening. The education functions of the council remain subject to regular review by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Education.

I draw to the minister's attention the Accounts Commission report of May 2008, "The Audit of Best Value and Community Planning: North Lanarkshire Council", which states that the council

"needs to improve some core services, most importantly in S3-S6 secondary educational attainment and pupil attendance".

Does the minister agree that that issue should be looked at? Will he take on board the fact that he might have to discuss S3 to S6 attainment and attendance levels with North Lanarkshire Council?

It is important to stress that the best-value report contained no recommendations for ministers to take forward. North Lanarkshire Council has responsibility for addressing the issues that auditors or inspectors bring to its attention. Of course, Government policies such as the early years framework should help to address some of the disadvantages that children in North Lanarkshire face. Implementation of the curriculum for excellence will also bring significant advances.

The council will, no doubt, refer to "included, engaged and involved part 1: attendance in Scottish schools", the national guidance on promoting attendance and managing absenteeism, which the Government produced last December.

Does the minister agree that it is disappointing that Councillor Wilson has chosen to highlight one of the few negative points in the audit of best value, which is on an issue that North Lanarkshire Council raised at the beginning of the audit process? Does he agree that it is important that we acknowledge the many positive points that the best-value audit made about North Lanarkshire Council's education service and that we congratulate the council on the improvements that it has made in attainment in primary education and early years across the authority area and on its widely recognised work on vocational education for pupils in S3 to S6? Perhaps Councillor Wilson should raise the points that he made with the council.

I suggest to the member that this is an appropriate place for any member to raise concerns about issues that affect their constituents. That said, I am prepared to endorse her approval of North Lanarkshire Council's education function. I have had the pleasure of visiting North Lanarkshire and have seen the good work that is going on there.

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Exam Results

To ask the Scottish Government whether there are any plans to review the presentation of exam results. (S3O-3700)

The Scottish Government provides a range of information on exam results through national statistics publications and the Scottish schools online website. Those products have been designed to provide a clear and rounded picture of attainment by placing the results in context. We regularly consult stakeholders on the presentation of statistical information on attainment. That will be particularly important in light of the curriculum for excellence programme.

The cabinet secretary will be aware that college suits some pupils better than school. Those pupils begin their qualifications in school and go on to complete them in college. It seems unfair that the school gets no credit in the official statistics for those success stories. In fact, in the way in which the figures are calculated, the school's performance is marked down. Will she agree to examine how the results are presented to ensure that schools are not penalised for supporting students in making the best choice for their individual attainment?

Exam results are presented in a way that provides the most accurate picture of attainment by an entire cohort. Staying-on rates are also presented alongside exam results to give an indication of their potential impact on the figures.

We launched a consultation document on national qualifications arrangements on Tuesday. The presentation of exam results will be considered in line with curriculum for excellence developments and national qualifications arrangements resulting from the consultation. We will bear in mind the points made by the member, but I reassure him that the staying-on rates should give some recognition to the fact that some pupils go on to college to take examinations.

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Adults Returning to Learning (Support)

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to provide opportunities, support and empowerment for adults who wish to return to learning. (S3O-3753)

Our skills strategy "Skills for Scotland: A Lifelong Skills Strategy", which was published last year, set out our plans and aspirations for a cohesive lifelong learning system. A key ambition is establishing a learning environment with simple structures and supported transitions, making it easier for all Scotland's individuals to access and move through learning.

We are turning that ambition into a reality, and the Government has produced a number of initiatives. We have announced changes to individual learning account Scotland that will specifically direct more funding at harder-to-reach learners—those on low incomes, with lower skill levels or with adult literacy and numeracy needs. We have developed the new higher education £500 part-time grant that will be delivered through ILA Scotland and which will be introduced for the 2008-09 academic session. The grant will give thousands of low-income part-time students fee support for the first time. We are also providing an additional £1 million annually to higher education institutions' discretionary funds to support part-time students' study, travel and child care costs.

Those are examples of how we are realigning our skills infrastructure to ensure that the learning and skills opportunities available to all continue to meet the needs of Scotland's individuals and employers.

I thank the cabinet secretary for that comprehensive answer. I look forward in particular to seeing how the ILA proposals develop.

The cabinet secretary will be aware that a legal right to time off is being discussed at Westminster, and the United Kingdom Government proposal has support from both the Confederation of British Industry and the Trades Union Congress. It may be that that is an educational right rather than an employment right. Where does the Scottish Government stand on that? Will it support the UK Government's view that it is an employment right? If it was an educational right, would the Scottish Government support it for Scottish workers?

I am well aware of that development and the member's proposed apprenticeship rights (Scotland) bill, which deals with related matters. We will examine closely the on-going question whether the Westminster Government's proposal is for a legal right to time off, which is an employment issue, or a legal right to request time off, which is perhaps an educational issue. We will monitor developments, and I will be pleased to talk to the member further as the consultation on his bill progresses.

Is the cabinet secretary concerned that the high cost of community use of some school premises because of private finance initiative contracts could inhibit some adults from returning to learning?

I recognise that the member has a clear interest in the point. One benefit of ending ring fencing as part of the historic concordat that we signed with local government is that that has given South Lanarkshire Council, for example, the opportunity to remove the costs of many of the lets of its community facilities and schools, enabling greater provision of a variety of activities, including community education.

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Class Size Reductions

To ask the Scottish Executive how it intends to reduce class sizes in primaries 1 to 3 to a maximum of 18 by 2011, in light of the findings of last month's survey by the Association of Directors of Education in Scotland. (S3O-3732)

The concordat states that, as quickly as possible, local authorities will reduce class sizes in P1 to P3 to a maximum of 18. Local government will be expected to show year-on-year progress towards delivery of the class size reduction policy. At the meeting of the Education, Lifelong Learning and Culture Committee on 28 May, ADES expressed support for that concordat commitment.

Between 6,000 and 6,500 teachers are projected to leave teaching each year for the next few years. The Scottish Government will deliver more than 20,000 teachers in training by 2011 to support educational needs, including reducing class sizes. There are specific resources in the local government settlement to maintain teacher numbers at 53,000 at a time of falling school rolls, which will enable the concordat commitment on class sizes to be met.

We know that ADES is concerned about the programme's costs, which are £62 million each year for staffing and £360 million for 900 additional classrooms. I note from the cabinet secretary's answer the promise of year-on-year progress and reductions "as quickly as possible", but the promise was to reduce class sizes by 2011. Will she share with members the details of whether each local authority has included plans for class size reduction in its single outcome agreement? How and when does each authority plan to achieve the promised reductions?

I refer the member to the variety of written answers that have been supplied on single outcome agreements.

A briefing from the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities that members might have received in recent days says:

"We are also aware that there have been … references in the media and in political circles to the need for £360m to meet the costs of reducing class sizes in P1-P3. This figure emerged in an ADES submission to the Education Committee. The ADES submission makes it clear that this is their estimated cost of implementing this policy with immediate effect. ADES have acknowledged that immediate implementation of the policy"

for everyone all over Scotland

"is not the intention and we are happy to re-emphasise this point."

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Ryder Cup (Scottish Representation)

To ask the Scottish Executive what further action it can take to ensure significant Scottish representation at the 2014 Ryder cup at Gleneagles, in light of recent concerns raised by Scottish professional golfers. (S3O-3743)

The Scottish Government fully supports the two major objectives of "Reaching Higher: Building on the Success of Sport 21", the national strategy for sport, which are to widen participation in sport and improve the performances of Scottish athletes on the international sporting stage.

For golf, we are demonstrating our commitment to those objectives by providing a funding package, which is delivered through sportscotland, of £500,000 per year for clubgolf until 2009-10. In addition, golf receives approximately £400,000 annually from Government and lottery funding that sportscotland distributes, which supports governance, development and performance programmes. The most talented golfers also receive significant support from the Scottish Institute of Sport and the six area institutes of sport.

I acknowledge the good work that the previous Administration did on clubgolf, which the current Administration has continued. However, I respectfully suggest that a significant difference exists between encouraging young people to participate in the sport and the transition from significant amateur achievement to significant achievement on the professional stage.

Scotland will be brought to the world's attention in 2014 through the Commonwealth games, the Ryder cup and other events. It would be tragic if, as the world paid attention to the home of golf in 2014, Scotland did not have significant professional representation at Gleneagles. Will the minister acknowledge the significant gap between the good work on clubgolf and the transition between amateurism and professionalism?

We recognise the importance of golf to Scotland. Scotland is the home of golf. Clubgolf is not just about giving youngsters the opportunity to experience golf; it involves coaching, competition and spotting the talented golfing stars of the future. The focus of clubgolf's strategy will shift from schools to clubs, where retention, progression and sustainability will be a priority.

Sportscotland supports several golfers—approximately 10 golfers a year—who are in the transition from the amateur to the professional game. Each golfer receives up to £5,000 per annum and they can continue to receive support from the governing body's performance programme, the area institutes and the Scottish Institute of Sport when appropriate.

The evaluation of clubgolf is complete. It identifies the programme's many strengths and the challenges in continuing to develop and deliver it. The evaluation's findings will inform the production of the strategy for 2009 to 2014, which I am sure that Tom McCabe and I agree is a critical phase for the development of golf in Scotland.

I should have pointed out earlier that question 5 has been withdrawn.

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Ocean Youth Trust Scotland (Fleet Base)

To ask the Scottish Government what representations have been made about where to base the Ocean Youth Trust Scotland's fleet of three boats. (S3O-3710)

The Scottish Government has received no representations about the base for the Ocean Youth Trust Scotland's fleet. However, we are aware that the trust is working with the Riverside Inverclyde urban regeneration company to examine the feasibility of creating a permanent new headquarters at Victoria and east India harbour in Greenock. The Scottish Government recently announced a funding package of £19 million over three years to support the URC's work.

As the minister is aware, Inverclyde is undergoing a regeneration programme. By encouraging businesses and organisations such as the OYT, we will greatly aid that work. I ask him to ensure that the work that is under way with the Riverside Inverclyde URC is sped up and that Inverclyde benefits from the OYT relocating there.

I support the Ocean Youth Trust and recently attended the launch and naming of the newest addition to its fleet, the Alba Endeavour. I met the young participants and saw for myself the trust's excellent work in helping to make our young people confident individuals, successful learners, responsible citizens and effective contributors. I look forward to hearing the outcome of the feasibility study into locating its headquarters in Greenock, and I hope that that outcome is achieved.

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Affordable Rural Housing

To ask the Scottish Executive how it is supporting the provision of affordable rural housing. (S3O-3734)

In addition to investing £114 million in rural areas this year, we are setting up the new rural homes for rent pilot scheme. Further, we have extended the open market shared equity pilot to several rural areas. The housing supply task force is examining the issues that hamper development in rural areas.

This Government has cut funding to Highlands and Islands housing associations by 26 per cent, which shows ignorance of the cost of providing affordable houses in rural areas. Small Highlands and Islands housing associations such as Lochalsh and Skye and Hebridean, which provide high-quality housing in some of the remotest areas of Scotland, are facing real cuts. In some cases, grants are being slashed by more than half. That will mean less affordable housing in areas that are crying out for more. Will the minister review that decision as a matter of urgency and ensure that people in my constituency are not further disadvantaged by funding cuts?

That is a rather unimpressive attempt to scaremonger about the affordable housing investment programme over the next three years. We are investing some £1.5 billion in housing over the next three years. Rural Scotland has retained its share of the national programme. Our budget for rural areas is approximately £114 million, which will provide nearly 1,400 affordable homes in rural areas.

There are a number of other programmes, including rural homes for rent and the open market shared equity pilots that I mentioned. We are investing more money and we will build more houses and ensure that people throughout Scotland get the affordable housing investment and homes that they require. Unfortunately, that was not delivered by the previous Administration.

At yesterday's meeting of the Local Government and Communities Committee, one of the minister's officials explained to members that to deal with the cuts in housing association grant, housing associations should look to their reserves. Is Argyll Community Housing Association scaremongering when it explains that because it is a debt-funded registered social landlord, it has no free reserves to subsidise HAG? It has said:

"If these proposals are to be implemented, it would appear the association could only get access to HAG by increasing its rents by over £20 a week."

Is that what this Government describes as better housing that is accessible to those in need?

Week in, week out, Johann Lamont attempts to scaremonger about the meltdown in the community-based housing association movement. That is a despicable way to behave in the chamber. The Scottish Housing Regulator could not have been clearer when it reported that the sector overall is in good financial health. The sector is well placed to develop more new houses. There is no evidence to suggest that transfer associations and others are in need of special treatment.

Before we come to First Minister's question time, I am delighted to say that the diplomatic corps of Caribbean high commissioners has joined us in the Presiding Officer's gallery for First Minister's question time. High commissioners, on behalf of the Scottish Parliament, I warmly welcome you.