Chamber and committees

In July 2011 we committed to review building regulations to see if all new homes should be fitted with carbon monoxide detectors. A working group has now been formed and will have its first meeting before the end of the year. The review could lead to changes for new homes in 2013.

The Scottish Government does not hold this information centrally. I will ask the Chief Executive of Skills Development Scotland to respond to you.

The Scottish Government does not hold this information centrally. I will ask the Chief Executive of Skills Development Scotland to respond to you.

Institutions of higher education must satisfy themselves of the accuracy and veracity of the residency claimed by an applicant in order to assess eligibility for regulated fee status. This can include, but is not limited to, confirming the address of the school attended by the applicant, the address registered with UCAS, the address to which any child benefit with respect to the applicant is registered and the address of the parental home.

Where supported fees are concerned, the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) must agree with an institutions assessment that a student has ‘home’ status before such fees are paid.

The test that has to be met is whether the applicant is ordinarily resident in Scotland. In general terms, an applicant would not be considered ordinarily resident in a second home.

Our systems already guard against this. Purchasing or owning a home in Scotland does not in itself qualify an applicant for eligibility for regulated fee status and student support. An applicant must demonstrate that they meet all the relevant residency criteria which includes being ordinarily resident in Scotland.

Information on childcare vouchers for employers is available on HMRC’s website. There have been no specific steps to raise awareness of childcare vouchers among voluntary and private sector employers in Scotland since the January-June 2009 project to do so. However, information is available to voluntary and private sector employees on the Scottish Childcare Information Service website and the Scottish Government website, as well as HMRC’s website.

Local Government and NHS board financial cycles are the same, running from April to March, with both preparing annual accounts for this financial cycle and adhering to the Scottish Government’s overarching financial timetable. The three year Spending Review announced in September 2011 provides additional financial clarity to local authorities and NHS boards for the next three years which should facilitate effective partnership working.

Private and social landlords are not required to fit homes with carbon monoxide detectors but they are required to ensure that gas heating systems are regularly inspected and are not dangerous.

The Accounts Commission is now completing a plan for delivering a review of how Community Planning Partnerships are externally scrutinised including pilot work which will be carried out in 2012. Further information on detail and timings for the review will be announced in due course.