Chamber and committees

We have received representations from the following industry organisations either directly or through their MSPs:

Freight on Rail;

Ailsa Horizons Ltd;

Deltix;

Rail Freight Group;

Highland Spring Ltd ;

Freight Transport Association (FTA)*;

Ferguson Transport (Spean Bridge) Ltd;

Direct Rail Services Ltd (DRS), and

HITRANS.

Note: * Albatrans UK Ltd, Russell Logistics, The Erdington Group, The Malcolm Group, JF Hillebrand Scotland Ltd, Scottish Council for Development and Industry and Strathclyde Partnership for Transport were co-signatories of the FTA letter.

We have received representations from the following environmental organisations either directly or through their MSPs: Campaign for Better Transport and Transform Scotland.

 

I have asked John Ewing, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:

There are currently 20 foreign nationals in Scottish Prisons pending deportation. Information provided correct as of 24 January 2011.

I have asked John Ewing, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:

There are currently 153 convicted foreign nationals in Scottish Prisons. Data correct as of 24 January 2011.

In line with Barnett consequentials, the Scottish Government received transfers of £4.153 milliom funding for the Migration Impacts Fund (2009-11). Consequentials accrue to the Scottish Block as a whole and it is for ministers to decide how the additional spending should be allocated. I can confirm that this funding went towards priorities within the Scottish Budget.

The Scottish Government has not met with the UK Minister of State for Immigration Damian Green, despite our repeated requests for a meeting.

As part of the Scottish Government''s Resilience Arrangements, the Scottish Government is liaising with a range of key stakeholders including Scotland''s fuel industry, local authorities and police to ensure that fuel supply into and throughout Scotland is maintained and that fuel is available for Scotland''s fuel distributors. As part of that process, Scottish Government liaises with fuel distributors and the Strategic Coordinating Groups in relation to difficulties in particular areas of Scotland and seeks to encourage action to be taken at local level where this is possible.

Determining areas of priority for fuel deliveries is a matter for fuel distribution companies based on their customer needs and demands. During times of fuel disruption, Scotland''s fuel distribution companies work very closely with the Scottish Government, local authorities and other key stakeholders to monitor and maintain key fuel deliveries. However, it is normal practice for heating fuel distributors to prioritise fuel for their vulnerable customers and those who have run out.

The number of ex-students who are unable to pay back their student loans due to incapacity is 170.

Data detailing the breakdown between nurses and midwives offered employment under the one-year job guarantee scheme and whether the posts are full-time, part-time or bank nurse posts is not available.

Applications for the 2010-11 one-year job guarantee scheme have only been accepted since 1 September 2010, therefore complete data is not yet available on the number and types of posts offered to newly qualified nurses and midwives under the scheme.

The number of newly qualified nurses and midwives who have been offered posts, over the previous four academic years, under the one-year job guarantee scheme, is set out in the following table:

Health Board	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Ayrshire and Arran	0	4	6	0
Dumfries and Galloway	3	1	1	0
Borders	0	0	0	0
Fife	2	0	0	14
Forth Valley	0	0	1	0
Greater Glasgow and Clyde	0	2	4	38
Highland	0	2	0	2
Grampian	7	0	3	36
Lanarkshire	4	4	8	17
Lothian	0	0	0	21
Orkney	0	0	0	0
Tayside	2	0	0	0
Western Isles	0	0	1	4
Shetland	0	0	0	0
Total	18	11	24	132

 

All those who apply to the scheme receive assistance to find a job, although some newly qualified staff secure a job through their own efforts.

We continue to make progress in our discussions with a range of stakeholders to secure employment opportunities for newly qualified nurses and midwives in 2010-11. In the current financial context that is clearly very challenging, but our commitment to the One Year Job Guarantee and to support the transition to employment remain as solid as ever.

The total number of newly qualified nurses and midwives who have applied to the One Year Job Guarantee scheme in each of the last five academic years are detailed in the following tables:

Newly Qualified Nurses

Health Board	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10	2010-11 (to-date)
Ayrshire and Arran	0	0	1	4	4
Dumfries and Galloway	1	0	3	2	3
Borders	0	1	0	2	1
Fife	0	2	1	2	12
Forth Valley	3	6	2	4	9
Greater Glasgow and Clyde	5	2	9	28	38
Highland	4	6	10	30	18
Grampian	3	1	1	3	7
Lanarkshire	1	4	4	7	8
Lothian	2	2	11	11	16
Orkney	0	0	0	0	0
Tayside	4	5	3	17	18
Western Isles	0	0	0	1	2
Shetland	0	0	0	0	1
Total	22	29	45	111	137

 

Newly Qualified Midwives

Health Board	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10	2010-11
Ayrshire and Arran	1	6	8	0	0
Dumfries and Galloway	0	0	0	0	1
Borders	0	1	0	0	0
Fife	1	0	0	0	0
Forth Valley	4	0	0	4	4
Greater Glasgow and Clyde	2	2	6	4	9
Highland	7	8	12	11	0
Grampian	0	0	0	3	0
Lanarkshire	4	10	14	8	6
Lothian	2	0	1	2	3
Orkney	0	0	0	0	0
Tayside	2	2	2	7	3
Western Isles	0	0	0	0	0
Shetland	0	0	0	0	0
Total	23	29	43	39	26

 

This data has been supplied by NHS Education for Scotland, which administer the One Year Job Guarantee scheme on behalf of the Scottish Executive.

Data is collected on an academic year basis (September to August).