Chamber and committees

We do not intend to pilot single outcome agreements. We are working to agree single outcome agreements with all councils by 30 June 2008.

The national outcomes contained in the Scottish Budget: Spending Review 2007 outline what the Scottish Government, working with our partners, aim to deliver in education and early years provision. That document also contains the set of national indicators and targets through which we will measure the achievement of these outcomes across government. The national outcomes and indicators sit alongside the continued delivery of the statutory responsibilities placed on councils and their partners to care for all people in their communities.

We expect all 32 councils to submit their proposed single outcome agreements by 31 March 2008, and aim to complete the process of agreeing single outcome agreements with each council by 30 June 2008.

I am delighted that all 32 local authorities in Scotland have frozen (or, in one case, cut) their council tax rates in 2008-09. All 32 authorities will now receive a share of the £70 million identified in the concordat.

Single outcome agreements will cover all local government services in each council area. A wide range of issues, including the ways in which we tackle poverty, inequality and deprivation, will inform the development and implementation of national and local policies and priorities. These will, in turn, inform the continued development of single outcome agreements.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-9991 on 27 February 2008. 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/webapp/wa.search.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-9991 on 27 February 2008. 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/webapp/wa.search

In implementing the guidance on the extension of priority treatment to include all veterans, each NHS board has been asked to appoint a senior member of staff to have overall responsibility in ensuring the implementation of these guidelines and to record any difficulties that may arise. The Scottish Government will continue to work closely with NHS Scotland in the provision of quality health care for serving armed forces personnel and their families, and veterans.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-9808 on 27 February 2008. 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/webapp/wa.search.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-9808 on 27 February 2008. 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/webapp/wa.search.

The National Care Standards set out of the quality of care for a range of care services available to vulnerable people. They are based on principles for ensuring dignity, privacy, choice, safety, realising potential and equality and diversity. The Care Commission ensures through regulation that the standards are being met. Arrangements for the provision of other types of services which vulnerable people might use are made under relevant legislation. Representative organisations for vulnerable groups were involved in developing the National Care Standards and are involved in discussions on any other issues relevant to vulnerable people.

The government''s response to the Crerar Review makes clear that outcome-based agreements will form an integral part of the processes for external scrutiny of service standards and promoting a continuous improvement approach to service delivery.