- Asked by: Johann Lamont, MSP for Glasgow Pollok, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 19 January 2010
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Current Status:
Answered by Adam Ingram on 1 February 2010
To ask the Scottish Executive whether guidance issued to local authorities on extending entitlement to free school meals to all primary one to three pupils in deprived areas stipulates the level of deprivation.
Answer
COSLA are currently consulting with local authorities, exploring various ways that progress towards the P1-P3 free school meal commitment can be achieved in the context of making sufficient progress on reducing class sizes. Until I am fully appraised of the detailed responses from local authorities, no criteria will be stipulated.
- Asked by: Johann Lamont, MSP for Glasgow Pollok, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 21 January 2010
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Current Status:
Answered by John Swinney on 1 February 2010
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-28310 by John Swinney on 16 November 2009, when an analysis of the reports from local authorities on the implementation of the 2008-09 single outcome agreements will be made available.
Answer
As I explained in response to Ms Lamont''s most recent question on this issue, councils and Community Planning Partnerships were asked to submit annual reports covering progress made towards 1st phase single outcome agreements in 2008-09 by end September. All 32 reports have been received and are available on the Local Government Improvement Service website at
http://www.improvementservice.org.uk/library/577-single-outcome-agreements/666-phase-1-single-outcome-agreements-2008-2011/693-single-outcome-agreement-2008-09-reports/view-category/.
The Scottish Government is producing an overview commentary, which assembles some of the key messages from these annual reports. I expect that it should be published shortly.
The answer to oral parliamentary question S3O‘08884 on 17 December 2009 is available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at:
http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.
- Asked by: Johann Lamont, MSP for Glasgow Pollok, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 22 December 2009
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Current Status:
Answered by Keith Brown on 29 January 2010
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-27265 by Fiona Hyslop on 23 September 2009, when the task group on employment opportunities for people with learning disabilities will report.
Answer
The Strategic Task Group on Supported Employment completed its work in October 2009. Scottish Government and COSLA are currently considering the findings and will be publishing a Supported Employment Framework for disabled people in early 2010. A copy of the framework will be placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 50135).
- Asked by: Johann Lamont, MSP for Glasgow Pollok, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 22 December 2009
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Current Status:
Answered by Keith Brown on 28 January 2010
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-27950 by Fiona Hyslop on 26 October 2009, when the report by Skills Development Scotland on the number of people aged 16 to 19 in the 15% most deprived areas who have secured employment or training will be made available.
Answer
This is an operational matter for Skills Development Scotland. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to you with this information.
- Asked by: Johann Lamont, MSP for Glasgow Pollok, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 22 December 2009
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Current Status:
Answered by Alex Neil on 27 January 2010
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-27263 by Alex Neil on 23 September 2009, when the review of services providing advice to people on uptake of benefits will be published.
Answer
It is expected that the review will be published in March 2010.
- Asked by: Johann Lamont, MSP for Glasgow Pollok, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 14 January 2010
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Current Status:
Answered by Shona Robison on 26 January 2010
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the City of Edinburgh Council about its proposal to set rates for direct payments based on categorisation by care group.
Answer
Officials are in regular contact with the City of Edinburgh Council to obtain updates on the proposed new direct payment rates.
- Asked by: Johann Lamont, MSP for Glasgow Pollok, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 14 January 2010
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Current Status:
Answered by Shona Robison on 26 January 2010
To ask the Scottish Executive what advice it has received with regard to the City of Edinburgh Council’s proposal to introduce direct payment rates for individuals based on their categorisation by care group.
Answer
In line with our guidance, it is for local authorities to determine direct payment rates. I understand that the City of Edinburgh Council have not yet decided to apply new rates for direct payments.
- Asked by: Johann Lamont, MSP for Glasgow Pollok, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 22 December 2009
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Current Status:
Answered by Jim Mather on 26 January 2010
To ask the Scottish Executive what organisations successful in seeking funding from the Third Sector Resilience Fund and how much each was allocated.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-30281 on 26 January 2010. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at
http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.
- Asked by: Johann Lamont, MSP for Glasgow Pollok, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 22 December 2009
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Current Status:
Answered by Shona Robison on 26 January 2010
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-28574 by Shona Robison on 6 November 2009, when the results of the survey on the impact of the Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007 will be made available.
Answer
Joint work with COSLA is progressing to analyse the responses to the survey of local authorities. I anticipate the outcome will be available in the spring.
- Asked by: Johann Lamont, MSP for Glasgow Pollok, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 22 December 2009
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Current Status:
Answered by Nicola Sturgeon on 26 January 2010
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-25992 by Nicola Sturgeon on 17 August 2009, when the conference on race will take place.
Answer
The first part of the Scottish Government Race Equality Conference took place on 15 December 2009. Minority ethnic community representatives were invited to take part in a discussion on where we are on race equality and our national outcome on identity. Around 170 delegates attended the conference. A second event is planned for later this year and will focus on public authorities.