Chamber and committees

The Scottish Executive has consulted with the EC and with the maintenance contractors. The process was started in April 2001. The answer given to question S1W-27277 indicated it was a complex area and therefore I am not able to give an indication of when investigations might be completed.

Modern apprenticeship (MA) frameworks are designed by business sectors through the network of Sector Skills Councils. The Executive has recently agreed with the major stakeholders involved in MAs that minimum levels of core skills should be included in MA frameworks. No other changes are planned.

The information requested is not recorded. It is possible for any modern apprentice to achieve some qualifications or elements of qualifications before leaving the programme.

The information requested is not routinely recorded. The Executive's recent Review of Modern Apprenticeships in Scotland (published in January 2002) indicated that of those surveyed, 85% of those completing their modern apprenticeship were still with the same employer two years after graduation, and 70% of modern apprentices in training intended to remain with their current employer.

There were no legislative powers to allow the Scottish Executive to insist on the provision of better pension rights on the trunk road maintenance contracts.

If a student loan applicant is recorded on the Student Loans Company system as holding an existing account which is in arrears or default, the system should automatically withhold payment of further support until the existing default debt is settled.

Difficulties in matching accounts usually occur because of discrepancies in the information provided on the original and the most recent loan application form which would otherwise have enabled the applications to be matched to the same borrower. This can be a difference in the format of a borrower's name or contact details, or the omission of the declaration that a student loan has been taken out before. The automatic system checks which prevent these accounts being merged are in place for the security of applicants to ensure that new loan applications are not attributed to other borrowers' accounts. This situation has existed since the introduction of the student loans scheme. It is, however, highly unlikely to occur with the current system of income contingent repayment student loans where repayments are collected directly by Inland Revenue. The Student Loans Company has a dedicated team which deals with "stand alone" accounts and is working to enhance its computer system to improve automatic matching.

Former students who incur default notice debts as a result of SLC system failing to match data should not be advised that there is no appeals process in respect of such default. The Student Loans Company has an objective and thorough formal complaints procedure which provides for investigation of situations such as this. Where complainants are not satisfied with the outcome of the investigation they can ask for their complaint to be reviewed by a senior manager, the Chief Executive and, ultimately, an impartial independent assessor.

No student should be required to pay a financial penalty as a result of the SLC system failing to match data. Where a default notice has been issued to a borrower who holds an unmatched or "stand alone" account which is up to date with repayments or in deferment, SLC should reverse the default notice and bring the account into line with its partner.

In general, written parliamentary questions are answered by the minister with the relevant portfolio interest.