Chamber and committees

The most recent Scottish labour market statistics show that for the period March-May 2010 the ILO unemployment rate in Scotland was 8.1%, compared to a rate of 7.8% for the UK, as a whole. However, what is clear from the trends in unemployment rates during the recession is that both the UK and Scotland have followed a similar upward trajectory. However, as unemployment (and labour market performance in general) tends to lag changes in output in the economy, the different timing in terms of entry into recession in Scotland (one quarter later) can explain differences in unemployment rates at different points during the recessionary and recovery phases. Differences in the nature of the economic cycle between Scotland and the UK are also a key factor.

For an updated analysis of the State of Economy please see the latest assessment by the Scottish Government''s Chief Economic Adviser, which was published on 2 August 2010.

The Economic Recovery Plan (ERP) sets out a number of priorities to accelerate recovery and to stimulate lasting improvements in Scotland''s long-term economic performance. The plan is focussed on three broad themes: Investing in innovation and industries of the future; strengthening education and skills, and supporting jobs and communities.

The plan has been focussed on responding to both the immediate short-term pressures arising as a result of the recession, particularly in the labour market and in terms of output, investment and confidence more generally, but also about protecting and improving the competitiveness and sustainability of the Scottish economy.

Elements of the ERP are estimated to support around 15,000 jobs in the Scottish economy, including over 5,000 jobs that are estimated to have been supported by the accelerated capital spending programme. Estimates of the impacts of some of these actions have been set out in the Economic Recovery Plan updates “ the most recent update was published on 3 March 2010 - and in the answer to question S3W-33003 on 28 April 2010.

The wider impact of some of these interventions (such as support for skills development, training and the funding of additional places for apprentices, etc.) cannot be captured in the short-term as they improve the long run capacity of the economy.

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.

The information requested is not held centrally.

The Development Trust Association Scotland (DTAS) is the national body for development trusts in Scotland. DTAS is a membership organisation and further details on current membership and their work can be found at http://www.dtascot.org.uk.

We have no plans at present to reinstate external audits of planning authorities.

The planning system is being reformed to support sustainable economic growth.

During the last three complete financial years, the Scottish Government has directly supported renewable energy research and development activity and the total amount spent is as follows:

Financial Year	Spend
2007-08	£1,543,783
2008-09	£845,534
2009-10	£1,042,641

 

This expenditure was principally made under the Wave And Tidal Energy Support Scheme (WATES), and has supported investment including Aquamarine, Wavegen and ScottishPower Renewables.

A wide range of organisations receive financial support from the Scottish Government and provide additional investment in renewables research and development, including Scottish Enterprise (SE), Highlands and Islands Enterprise and The Carbon Trust.

One example is the SE Wave And Tidal Energy: Research, Development and Demonstration Support (WATERS) scheme. On 6 July, this year, £13 million of support to five marine energy projects through the WATERS scheme was announced.

This does not include support given indirectly via our Universities through organisations including the Scottish Funding Council and Research Councils UK.

The Scottish Government funds both the Energy Saving Trust (EST) and the Carbon Trust, to provide energy efficiency support across all sectors. EST provide advice to householders and small businesses through the Energy Saving Scotland advice network, while the Carbon Trust support larger companies and the public sector.

We also fund the Zero Waste Scotland programme which delivers a range of initiatives to help businesses, local authorities, consumers and the third sector to reduce waste, recycle more and use resources sustainably.

The Scottish Government has no current plans to review publicly funded energy efficiency and environmental performance advisory bodies. We are however planning as part of our approach to the Low Carbon Economy to develop a co-ordinated approach to the delivery of energy and resource efficiency advice to business.

All of the Scottish Futures Trust''s (SFT) activities, including SFT''s involvement in the Scotland''s Schools for the Future programme, are outlined in its business plans which are accessible on the SFT website (http://www.scottishfuturestrust.org.uk/).

The most recent Business plan for 2010-11 details SFT''s achievements against objectives which were set out in the 2009-10 business plan. SFT''s annual report will be published later this year will also provide further details on its progress.

The Scottish Government supports a range of measures to encourage young people to study STEM subjects. Science and Engineering 21: An Action Plan for Education in the 21st Century launched in March this year sets out a framework and actions aimed at raising the profile of STEM subjects and associated career paths. The actions include highlighting real-life applications of science learning, building on the Do something creative. Do science marketing campaign, and showcasing science role models through the STEM Ambassadors Programme which brings practising scientists and technologists into schools to assist with activities, talks and careers events.

Last year, the Scottish Government introduced the Scottish Baccalaureate in Sciences which encourages more young people to study sciences in upper secondary school and aims to help equip them for the transition to tertiary education and employment. On 5 August, 89 young people received the first ever Science Baccalaureates awarded.

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Education/Schools/curriculum/Science/Plan.