- Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 08 December 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Peter Peacock on 22 December 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive why the local authority grant increases announced by the Minister for Finance and Local Government on 7 December 2000, are higher in 2001-02 than in 2002-03 and higher in 2002-03 than in 2003-04.
Answer
The grant allocations arise out of the spending plans announced on 20 September, and represent a 10.5% increase in real terms over the three-year period.
- Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 08 December 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Peter Peacock on 22 December 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to impose any new statutory duties or responsibilities on local authorities over the next 12 months and, if so, whether it will fully fund any such duties or responsibilities in this period and in future years.
Answer
We will consider any new statutory duties and responsibilities, and whether they impose any additional financial burden on local government, as they arise.
- Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 08 December 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Peter Peacock on 22 December 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive what "hidden burdens" the Minister for Finance and Local Government was referring to when responding to the question from Alex Salmond during the ministerial statement on 7 December 2000 (Official Report, col. 707).
Answer
The Minister acknowledged the burdens and pressures on local government. But none of these burdens are hidden.
- Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 08 December 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Iain Gray on 22 December 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to introduce a community legal service delivered by a range of providers including independent agencies, law centres and solicitors in private practice.
Answer
The Deputy First Minister has set up a working group to make recommendations about how a "Community Legal Service" might be established in Scotland. The group is broadly based and will report to him in October 2001.
- Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 08 December 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Susan Deacon on 22 December 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive what impact "family friendly" policies would have in retaining trained and skilled staff within the NHSiS.
Answer
The introduction of family friendly policies is expected to improve morale and show that NHS Scotland cares about its staff. It sends the message that NHS Scotland is serious about recruiting new staff and retaining its staff by offering them the ability to work the hours they want to combine work with family commitments.
- Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 08 December 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Susan Deacon on 22 December 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to encourage flexible working practices in the NHSiS which would allow doctors, nurses and ancillary staff to combine work with caring responsibilities.
Answer
Our National Health: A Plan for Action, a Plan for Change makes clear that all NHS employers will be required to meet or exceed best practice guidance on family-friendly policies as part of the new Staff Governance Standard. To help employers, guidance on family-friendly policies will issue in the New Year, and will address issues such as flexible working; childcare; breastfeeding and career breaks. The guidance will apply to all staff in NHS Scotland.
- Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 08 December 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Wendy Alexander on 22 December 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to improve the poor perception of jobs in the service sector amongst males as highlighted in the Action Teams for Jobs Report 2000.
Answer
Action Teams for Jobs is a Department for Education and Employment initiative which targets the most disadvantaged areas to help workless people get a job and keep it. The Glasgow Action Team for Jobs believes from their work with clients that this perception is changing.
The Scottish New Deal Advisory Task Force and the Glasgow Employer Coalition are also taking initiatives which address this issue.
- Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 08 December 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Sam Galbraith on 22 December 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive what financial assistance it will give to Glasgow City and South Lanarkshire Councils to reduce the flood threat from the River Cart.
Answer
Under the Flood Prevention (Scotland) Act 1961 grants, at a rate of 50%, are available to all councils for the construction of confirmed flood prevention schemes which meet specified cost-benefit criteria. It is a matter for the councils concerned whether to take forward flood prevention schemes for the White Cart.
- Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 06 December 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Susan Deacon on 20 December 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to extend the standard general practitioner training to four years with a minimum of two years in general practice by 2005.
Answer
The length and content of vocational training for general practitioners is a matter for the Joint Committee on Postgraduate Training for General Practice (JCPTGP), which is a reserved body with a UK wide remit.
- Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 05 December 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Sam Galbraith on 19 December 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive what its response is to the statement by the Scottish Housebuilders Association that targeting more land for housebuilding could contribute to a reversal of the anticipated population decline in the area covered by the Glasgow and Clyde Valley Joint Structure Plan 2000.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-11774.
