Chamber and committees

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-27259 on 23 September 2009. 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.

Policy, implementation and evaluation of the uptake of benefits and tax credits remains the responsibility of the UK Government. The Scottish Government however is committed to action on a number of levels to tackle poverty and income inequality in Scotland as set out in Achieving our Potential.

Achieving our Potential commits significant new investment in 2009-10 and 2010-11 for income maximisation with a focus on benefits uptake for older people and other key groups. Key funding issued so far includes:

£1.1 million to Macmillan Cancer to provide cancer patients and carers with advice and information on welfare benefits and other financial matters in the five cancer treatment centres in Scotland.

£160,000 to Citizens Advice Direct to provide free telephone benefit entitlement checks to those people that access the Energy Assistance Programme.

£700,000 to provide income maximisation advice and support to older people in deprived parts of Falkirk, North Lanarkshire, West Lothian and Clackmannanshire.

These do not focus on specific benefits and tax credits but take a holistic approach to increasing overall income. We are considering other initiatives and interventions which will provide support to those people that are most difficult to reach.

Central to the income maximisation programme is a commitment to target those vulnerable groups that are not accessing the benefits that they are entitled to, and to identify ways to ensure that all benefits are claimed. The Scottish Government is working with UK counterparts on areas of shared interest to promote this.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-27259 on 28 September 2009. 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.

COSLA and the Scottish Government are progressing with a review of information and advice provision, which will include an assessment of how current provision fits with needs. A major aim of the review is to ensure that public resources are being used effectively and efficiently, and that there is quality and consistency of service provision across Scotland. The review will be published by the end of 2009. One of the key objectives of the review will be the provision of uniform, high quality and joined-up services that are based on needs.

All projects funded by the Scottish Government require monitoring and evaluation to take place as part of the standard funding conditions.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-26404 on 16 September 2009. 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.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-26626 on 16 September 2009. 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.

Any additional funding for the event is a matter for the Scottish Islamic Foundation.

The Scottish Government has no other input in relation to this event.

This is a matter for the Scottish Islamic Foundation. We have been advised that there has not been any communication with Libya.