Chamber and committees

The recent results from the first round of the Scottish Household Survey suggest that across Scotland, 12% of householders (or their partners) do not have a bank account. This conceals a wide variation: for example only 61% of single parents have some form of account. This is a matter of concern and Scottish Ministers are commited to improving access to financial services. We are actively engaged in discussions with a range of bodies, including financial institutions, to promote wider access to a broad range of financial services.

The role of the Chief Economic Adviser is to provide advice on all economic issues affecting Scotland and to act as Head of Profession for all economists employed by the Scottish Executive.

Action on pensioner poverty is happening on a UK and Scottish level. Changes to taxes and benefits are improving pensioners entitlements. VAT on household fuel has been reduced from 8% to 5%. From April 1999, pensioners have a guaranteed minimum income of not less than £75 a week, and pensioner couples £116 a week. Winter Fuel Payments for pensioners will rise from £20 to £100 minimum from December 1999. To complement these changes, a range of measures will be promoted to ensure that the needs of older people on low incomes are met. For example, the Scottish Warm Deal to tackle fuel poverty specifically targets pensioners on benefit, and we are committed to encouraging the improvement and integration of concessionary fare schemes.

We are committed to mainstreaming of equality into all aspects of Scottish Executive policy and service delivery. This means that all policies will be examined for any differential impact on different groups within society. This could include people of different marital status. Where there is an unjustifiable differential impact, action will be taken.

I have asked the Chairman of Scottish Enterprise to write to Alex Neil MSP on this matter and I understand that he has already done so.

No estimate has been made of the cost of upgrading the A77 to dual carriageway status between Whitletts roundabout and Stranraer. A Route Action Plan (RAP) study recently undertaken on this section of the route recommended several individual schemes together with road safety improvement measures to bring the whole route up to a consistent standard.

Scottish Higher Education Funding Council's allocation to Aberdeen University last year was published in the SHEFC Circular Letter No. 8/98, 18 March 1998, copies of which have been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre. SHEFC made no awards direct to the Computer Department of Aberdeen University.

We intend to make available copies of representations received, in response to formal consultations on tackling social exclusion, provided the authors have no objections. These will be placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.

I refer the member to my answer to question S1W-00303 also answered today.

Employment policy is reserved to the UK Government which takes the lead on funding and delivery of the New Deal. In Scotland it does this in partnership with the Scottish Executive and contributing Scottish organisations as indicated in the answer to question S1W-00299 also answered today.The total number to the end of April was 5,570 and this represented 65% of those who had moved into sustained employment by that date.