Chamber and committees

Once we have launched this new initiative we will aim to sign up as many companies as possible.

The Scottish Government estimates that developments in the waste management sector alone will generate 2,000 jobs for Scotland, as stated in last year’s Zero Waste Plan. It is not possible to break this estimate down into the annual figures requested.

The December 2010 Scottish Government discussion paper on carbon-rich soils set out the programme of work which the government and its agencies is taking to protect and restore damaged peatlands. This can be found at:

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Environment/waste-and-pollution/Pollution-1/soil/soilpolicy/carbon-rich/.

In particular we have provided funding in the Scotland Rural Development Programme (SRDP) for measures which protect and restore peatlands. All public bodies have a duty under the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 to consider the climate change effects of their actions; the Scottish Government and local authorities can now take account of the recently revised carbon calculator when authorising windfarms on peatlands. We are commissioning further research to survey Scotland's peatlands and the scope for peatland restoration.

I intend to begin consultation over the summer with a view to introducing any amending regulations that might be required as soon as possible when the Parliament returns after the summer recess. Funding will be met from within the Energy Assistance Package, future funding for which will be set out in the forthcoming Spending Review.

None of the schemes has operated throughout the last four years. The Energy Assistance Package (EAP) has run since 2009-10. The Home Insulation Scheme (HIS) ran in 2009-10 and 2010-11. The Universal Home Insulation Scheme (UHIS) has run since 2010-11.

The expenditure on these schemes was as follows:

Notes:

(a) This figure should be treated as provisional due to IT issues being experienced by Scottish Gas (EAP stage 4 managing agent) which have affected reporting.

(b) While this figure is provisional, it is expected to be the subject of only minor revision.

(c) This figure should be treated as provisional, subject to returns by local authorities who manage UHIS schemes.

HIS expenditure in 2010-11 was less than anticipated. This was because of significant efficiencies and savings in delivery costs. These savings were reallocated to other Scottish Government energy efficiency programmes, including the Energy Assistance Package, boiler scrappage and support to social landlords to install insulation.

Economic modelling work is currently underway to determine the likely size and cost of the pilot. Details on when the pilot will commence will be announced once this modelling work is complete.

We will consider options for the implementation of both the graduate and technical apprenticeship routes as part of the Scottish Government commitment to making training work better. The conclusions of this will be published by the end of 2011. No estimate costs are available as yet.

None of the schemes has operated throughout the last four years. The Energy Assistance Package (EAP) has run since 2009-10. The Home Insulation Scheme (HIS) ran in 2009-10 and 2010-11. The Universal Home Insulation Scheme (UHIS) has run since 2010-11.

The budget for these schemes was as follows:

The Home Insulation Scheme is not running in 2011-12.

The Energy Assistance Package, Universal Home Insulation Scheme (UHIS) and Boiler Scrappage Scheme will be supported by a budget of £48 million in 2011-12. Of this, UHIS funding will be £12.5 million, with the balance supporting the Energy Assistance Package and the Boiler Scrappage Scheme.

No funding has been allocated to social banking for 2011-12. Decisions on funding for 2012-13 onwards will made later in 2011.