Seòmar agus comataidhean

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12930 on 5 March 2013. 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/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.

The most recent data published by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) shows that in 2011 Scottish Combined Heat and Power (CHP) schemes generated 2,864 GWh of electricity (up 3.1% from 2010) and 6,813 GWh of heat (up 1.7% from 2010).

We do not currently have projections for the energy production from CHP plants in 2020. As set out in the Draft outline, Heat Vision published on 29 January 2013, the Scottish Government is developing a longer term strategy that looks at heat in the wider context of available energy resources, and demand. We will publish a Heat Generation Policy Statement (HGPS) later this year. The HGPS will look to replicate and build upon the success of the Electricity Generation Policy Statement in providing clarity on the Scottish Government’s views on the generation of heat within Scotland. Work is underway to gather data and identify where further information is required.

The most recent data published by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) shows that between 2009 and 2011, the number of Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plants in Scotland increased by 31, to 116. This includes both renewable and fossil fuel systems.

We do not currently have projections for the number of CHP plants that will be operational in 2020. As set out in the Draft outline Heat Vision published on 29 January 2013, the Scottish Government is developing a longer term strategy that looks at heat in the wider context of available energy resources, and demand. We will publish a Heat Generation Policy Statement (HGPS) later this year. The HGPS will look to replicate and build upon the success of the Electricity Generation Policy Statement in providing clarity on the Scottish Government’s views on the generation of heat within Scotland. Work is underway to gather data and identify where further information is required.

Support is available for Combined Heat and Power (CHP) from a number of sources. The main direct support mechanisms for renewable Combined Heat and Power (CHP) are the Renewables Obligation (Scotland) and the UK Government’s Renewable Heat Incentive.

The Renewables Obligation (Scotland) gives two Renewables Obligation Certificates (SROCs) for every megawatt hour of electricity generated by biomass electricity generating plants with CHP. Following its recent consultation on changes to the Renewables Obligation (Scotland), the Scottish Government proposes to go further by setting an eligibility requirement for plants over 15 MW to meet good quality CHP standards to further drive uptake of CHP. There is no specific budget allocation for CHP under the Renewable Obligation (Scotland) but Ofgem, who administer the schemes, provides an annual report on the number of accredited biomass plants with CHP and the number of SROCs issued in the previous year.

In the current Parliamentary session, finance for renewable CHP plants is also available through the £103 million Renewable Energy Investment Fund and the £50 million Warm Homes Fund. Finance for both renewable and non-renewable CHP is available through the £5 million District Heating Loan Fund. These schemes fund a range of renewable heat-only, CHP and district heating projects and there is no specific budget allocation for CHP.

Monitoring levels of apprentices with a disability relies on self declaration by individuals to employers or training providers, either when applying for apprenticeship opportunities, or when they start training.

Skills Development Scotland advise that 0.4% of apprentices in training as at 28-12-2012 declared a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010. This figure of course does not include those apprentices who chose not to declare a disability.

Skills Development Scotland do not routinely collect information on whether apprentices have been in care. However, an Employer Recruitment Incentive which is available to support disadvantaged young people, including care leavers, was introduced at the start of 2012-13 and the total numbers of individuals supported will be available at the end of the financial year.

No data is held centrally regarding the employment status of all care leavers.

The Annual Population Survey (APS) provides estimates of employment across Scotland; however the only data available for those specific conditions requested covers those who have any learning difficulties or disabilities. The latest APS data covers the period from October 2011 to September 2012.

In Scotland it is estimated that there are 15,000 people aged 16 and over with learning difficulties or disabilities who are in employment, education or training. It is estimated that they account for approximately 0.6% of all those aged 16+ in employment, education or training.

The APS is a population survey and so there is an amount of variability in this estimate.

Source: Annual Population Survey, Office for National Statistics.

Notes:

1. Level rounded to nearest thousand, percentage based on unrounded figures.

2. The sub-group of interest here is relatively small therefore this estimate is not as reliable as those for the total population aged 16+.

3. Learning difficulties and disabilities includes conditions such as dyslexia or dyscalculia; mental impairments or mental handicap.

The Scottish Government and the Scottish Funding Council support a number of programmes which meet the cost of learning support and other reasonable adjustments required to accommodate students with additional support needs. Working with Buttle UK, the Scottish Funding Council is also supporting institutions to develop systems of support that are relevant to care leavers.

Where admission is concerned, this is a matter for the relevant university or college and all students are considered for entry alongside their peers. So long as the student is judged to have the potential to successfully complete a course, a university or college is able to make allowances with respect to their background or circumstances.

The Scottish Government does not collect this information.

Skills Development Scotland do not routinely collect information on whether apprentices have been in care. However, the Employer Recruitment Incentive which is available to support disadvantaged young people, including care leavers, was introduced at the start of 2012-13. The total numbers of individuals supported will be available at the end of the financial year.

Monitoring levels of apprentices with a disability, as defined by the Equality Act 2010, relies on self declaration by individuals to employers or training providers, either when applying for apprenticeship opportunities, or when they start training.

Skills Development Scotland advise that 0.4% of apprentices in training as at 31-12-2012 declared a disability. This figure of course does not include those apprentices who chose not to declare a disability.

No data is held centrally regarding the employment status of all care leavers.

The Annual Population Survey (APS) provides estimates of employment across Scotland; however the only data available for those specific conditions requested covers those who have any learning difficulties or disabilities. The latest APS data covers the period from October 2011 to September 2012.

In Scotland it is estimated that there are 9,000 people aged 16 and over with learning difficulties or disabilities who are in employment. Approximately 23.0% of all those aged 16+ with learning difficulties or disabilities are in employment; this is not the same as the employment rate for this group as it is based on those aged 16+ including those beyond retirement age.

The APS is a population survey and so there is an amount of variability in this estimate.

Source: Annual Population Survey, Office for National Statistics

Notes:

1. Level rounded to nearest thousand, percentage based on unrounded figures.

2. The sub-group of interest here is relatively small therefore this estimate is not as reliable as those for the total population aged 16+.

3. Learning difficulties and disabilities includes conditions such as dyslexia or dyscalculia; mental impairments or mental handicap.

The Higher Education Statistics Authority (HESA) produces statistics for higher education students in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). The Scottish Funding Council produces statistics for higher education students in colleges. The latest detailed data on students in higher education is for the academic year 2010-11.

Data on care leavers are not currently available from HESA or the SFC. The Scottish Government is working with HESA, the SFC and institutions to ensure this information is captured in future years.

The table below shows the number and percentage of higher education enrolments split by disability type.

Enrolments in higher education (HE) in Scottish HEIs and colleges by disability type: 2010-11

Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) and Scottish Funding Council (SFC).

Notes:

1 For colleges, students with an autistic spectrum disorder are included in the category 'A disability, impairment or medical condition not listed above' as they are not reported on separately.

Enrolment numbers rounded to the nearest 5.

The vast majority of higher education courses have a duration of at least one academic year, therefore students generally enrol once per year. The number of HE enrolments is broadly comparable to the number of HE students.