Chamber and committees

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-01070 on 14 July 2011. 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/MAQASearch/QAndMSearch.aspx.

The Scottish Government is committed to the introduction of a new funding floor to ensure that no local authority receives less than 85 per cent of the Scottish average in terms of revenue support. The commitment is that this will be funded by additional money from central government. Until each annual local government finance settlement has been calculated it is not possible to predict how many and which local authorities will benefit.

If the City of Edinburgh Council was to qualify for funding from the new 85 per cent funding floor this will be in addition to existing funding levels which currently includes the money the council receives for the capital city supplement.

The Scottish Government is committed to the introduction of a new funding floor to ensure that no local authority receives less than 85 per cent of the Scottish average in terms of revenue support. Until each annual local government finance settlement has been calculated it is not possible to predict how many and which local authorities will benefit.

The Scottish Government is committed to the introduction of a new funding floor to ensure that no local authority receives less than 85 per cent of the Scottish average in terms of revenue support. Until each annual local government finance settlement has been calculated it is not possible to predict how much this will cost over this parliamentary session.

The Scottish Government has not set a target for reducing the number of young people in the more choices, more chances group. Our aim is to increase the number of young people in positive and sustained destinations.

Through 16+ Learning Choices, introduced in December 2008, local authorities and their partners are working collaboratively to ensure an offer of an appropriate place in post-16 learning for every young person who wants it. 16+ Learning Choices is the key mechanism for supporting all young people into positive and sustained destinations.

In 2009-10 the national indicator on initial destinations increased to 86.8%.

The Scottish Government is currently considering poverty proofing and has commissioned some research on this matter. Following consideration of this research the Scottish Government will consider taking forward appropriate measures for poverty proofing.

A decision has not been taken regarding the introduction of a socioeconomic duty in Scotland.

The Scottish Government is doing everything it can to ensure that all our young people, particularly those at risk of moving into, or are already in, a negative destination, have the right support, skills and opportunities to access and sustain jobs. We recognise that staying in learning increases young people’s chances of getting and keeping a job.

Through 16+ Learning Choices (introduced in December 2008), local authorities and their partners are working collaboratively to ensure an offer of an appropriate place in post-16 learning whether that is staying on at school, moving to further or higher education, training, volunteering or employment with learning. For those furthest from the labour market they may be eligible to participate in an activity agreement.

In addition to modern apprenticeships and further education, other routes on offer to this group are Targeted Pathways, Get Ready for Work and Inspiring Scotland programmes which are supported with funding from Scottish Government.

Scottish ministers have regular meetings with UK minsters on a range of matters including welfare reform and child poverty. The then Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing met with the Secretary of State for Works and Pensions on 22 September 2010. On 28 October 2010, the then Minister for Housing and Communities and the Minister for Schools and Skills met with Chris Grayling MP, the UK Minister for Employment, accompanied by the Convenor of COSLA in Edinburgh. Ministers have also had discussions by phone and there has also been regular engagement between officials on these matters.