Chamber and committees

Information on the number of people currently assisted by mortgage rescue schemes run by other agencies is not known. It is too early to say how many people might be helped under the Executive-sponsored mortgage to rent scheme since this will depend on the number of applications and the precise details of each case. We will, however, be seeking to ensure that the scheme, when it becomes operational, assists as many people as possible within the limits of the available funding.

We are aware of the existence of a small number of mortgage rescue schemes currently run by social landlords and local authorities, although the precise number is not known.

Information on how many public agencies have volunteering policy statements is not collected centrally. However, guidance on volunteering policies was issued to the health service in 1998 and 2000 requesting that a policy statement on volunteering in their area be submitted to the Scottish Executive Health Department. Policies have been submitted from all NHS boards and nearly all NHS trusts. Similarly, guidance in volunteering policies for local authorities was issued in 2000 jointly by COSLA and Volunteer Development Scotland and we understand that around two thirds of local authorities currently have specific volunteering policies.

The Scottish Executive recognises the need for long term, sustainable funding for voluntary organisations. To assist in this the Executive, as part of its review of its own direct funding of the voluntary sector, has committed itself to the provision of three-year funding packages where appropriate and three-year finance to local authorities, which should in turn enable them to offer three-year funding to voluntary organisations.The Executive has also recognised the need to develop new types of funding and has established Social Investment Scotland. In September 2001, the Executive, in partnership with Scotland's four clearing banks, Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Scottish Homes, launched the £5 million investment fund to support the development of the social economy. The fund will provide development advice and loan funding for social enterprises unable to access loan finance from traditional sources.Following on from its review of direct funding, the Executive is committed to conducting a strategic review of funding for the voluntary sector that will look at how public funding meets the needs of the sector. This review will consider whether it is possible for all funders of the sector to work together to ensure that they are operating in a way that meets their own needs and those of the sector. This review is due to commence in the summer, and discussions on how best to take work forward are taking place with SCVO and COSLA.In addition, the Executive is continuing to implement the Scottish Compact and Good Practice Guides, which include advice on best practice in funding of voluntary organisations.

The Scottish Executive published on 9 May its response to its consultation on the review of direct funding for the voluntary sector. This response details the Executive's plans to reform the arrangements for direct funding of the voluntary sector in Scotland. A number of principles and processes aimed at making it easier for voluntary organisations to apply to the Executive for funding will be adopted. These include:

• Making available on the Scottish Executive website information on the funding opportunities available and producing a published version annually.
• Introducing a single core application form for all Scottish Executive funding for the voluntary sector.
• Introducing standard packages of funding conditions, appropriate to the differing levels of funding.
• Discussing with the sector the formats in which the funding process may be delivered, seeking to move to electronic delivery for those organisations that want it.

A copy of the Executive's response to the consultation on the review of direct funding for the voluntary sector is available from the Parliament's Reference Centre.

I am in the process of considering the draft of the social economy review and will arrange for publication of the report for consultation in due course.

The Scottish Executive has supported Volunteers' Week for a number of years. This year the week will be launched by the First Minister in Glasgow on 7 June. The Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport will give the keynote address at the Volunteering in the Arts conference on 8 June and the Minister for Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning will speak at the "Getting Connected" conference on employer supported volunteering on 13 June. A number of ministers, including Mr Henry and myself, have agreed to participate in volunteering opportunities across Scotland throughout the week. In addition, the Executive is providing funding of £10,000 to Volunteer Development Scotland to support the week.

The Scottish Executive supports the national network of Volunteer Centres. Volunteer Centres are one-stop shops where information, advice and support on volunteering opportunities can be obtained by people, irrespective of their background or circumstances. We have increased our investment in the network to £2 million in 2002-03. This is double the funding made available in 2001-02. The additional resources are being distributed to the volunteer centres on the basis of the same formula that applies to our support to local authorities i.e. it takes account of various factors including levels of deprivation.

The Scottish Compact commits the Scottish Executive to ensuring that, in the process of policy-making, the impact of changes in policy and procedure on voluntary organisations, volunteering and community groups is considered and taken fully into account. This commitment is supported by a Good Practice Guide, published in June 2000. Implementation of the compact is monitored jointly with the voluntary sector on an annual basis.

Research, carried out by the Training and Employment Research Unit at Glasgow University, has identified an emerging skills gap in construction. The Scottish Welfare to Work Task Force has established a group to develop a New Deal construction sector pathway in Scotland. Working with the industry this group is focusing on disadvantaged groups and long-term unemployed, and is working to develop short, modular courses which could lead to a full Modern Apprenticeship. The Executive will also work through Future Skills Scotland and Careers Scotland to promote employment and training opportunities in construction. The Glasgow Construction Forum was launched on 1 May by Glasgow City Council. The forum will be working with Scottish construction firms primarily on skills issues arising from the housing stock transfer. The Housing and Employment Working Group has examined key issues affecting the industry by involving individuals from the construction sector, employment initiatives, the voluntary sector, public sector and trade unions.