- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 06 February 2013
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Current Status:
Answered by Fergus Ewing on 5 March 2013
To ask the Scottish Government how much funding it will allocate to support the development of combined heat and power plants in the current parliamentary session.
Answer
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.
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Friday, 08 February 2013
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Current Status:
Answered by Fergus Ewing on 5 March 2013
To ask the Scottish Government how much of the National Renewables Infrastructure Fund has been spent in each year; what projects have received funding, and how much private finance each project has received.
Answer
To date, Scottish Enterprise (SE) has spent £2,567,935 to support the development of a range of N-RIF projects at various Scottish locations, namely Port of Dundee, Port of Leith, Rosyth, Methil, Hunterston, Inchgreen and Westway.
To date Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has spent £6,255,652 to support the development of a range of N-RIP projects at various HIE locations, namely, Kishorn, Arnish, Machrihanish, Nigg, Wick, Stornoway, Scrabster and Mallaig.
SE and HIE continue to work with owners at these various locations in developing proposals to meet current market opportunities.
In terms of private funding projects, again SE and HIE are working closely with site owners to progress consent applications and funding packages. Funding packages are in place for a number of other ports with differing public/private funding splits.
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Monday, 04 February 2013
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Current Status:
Answered by Angela Constance on 1 March 2013
To ask the Scottish Government how many and what percentage of people in post-16 education, employment and training comprises care leavers and people with (a) autism spectrum disorders, (b) Asperger syndrome, (c) attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, (d) social, emotional behavioural difficulties and (e) learning disabilities.
Answer
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.
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Monday, 04 February 2013
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Russell on 1 March 2013
To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to widen access to further and higher education for care leavers and people with (a) autism spectrum disorders, (b) Asperger syndrome, (c) attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and (d) social, emotional behavioural difficulties.
Answer
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.
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Monday, 04 February 2013
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Current Status:
Answered by Angela Constance on 1 March 2013
To ask the Scottish Government how many and what percentage of care leavers and people with (a) autism spectrum disorders, (b) Asperger syndrome, (c) attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, (d) social, emotional behavioural difficulties and (e) learning disabilities are undertaking modern apprenticeships.
Answer
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.
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Monday, 04 February 2013
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Current Status:
Answered by Angela Constance on 1 March 2013
To ask the Scottish Government how many and what percentage of people undertaking modern apprenticeships are care leavers or have (a) autism spectrum disorders, (b) Asperger syndrome, (c) attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, (d) social, emotional behavioural difficulties and (e) learning disabilities.
Answer
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.
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Monday, 04 February 2013
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Russell on 28 February 2013
To ask the Scottish Government how many and what percentage of care leavers and people with (a) autism spectrum disorders, (b) Asperger syndrome, (c) attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, (d) social, emotional behavioural difficulties and (e) learning disabilities are in employment.
Answer
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.
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Monday, 04 February 2013
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Russell on 28 February 2013
To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of higher education students comprises care leavers and people with (a) autism spectrum disorders, (b) Asperger syndrome, (c) attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, (d) social, emotional behavioural difficulties and (e) learning disabilities.
Answer
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
| Disability Type | Number of HE enrolments | Percentage of all HE enrolments |
| Blind or a serious visual impairment uncorrected by glasses | 525 | 0.2% |
| Deaf or a serious hearing impairment | 800 | 0.3% |
| A physical impairment or mobility issues, such as difficulty using arms or using a wheelchair or crutches | 820 | 0.3% |
| Personal care support | 20 | 0.0% |
| A mental health condition, such as depression, schizophrenia or anxiety disorder | 2,225 | 0.8% |
| A long standing illness or health condition such as cancer, HIV, diabetes, chronic heart disease, or epilepsy | 3,765 | 1.3% |
| Two or more impairments and/or disabling medical conditions | 2,100 | 0.7% |
| A social/communication impairment such as Aspergers syndrome/other autistic spectrum disorder (1) | 340 | 0.1% |
| A specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia, dyspraxia or AD(H)D | 9,400 | 3.2% |
| A disability, impairment or medical condition that is not listed above (1) | 3,145 | 1.1% |
| Not recorded | 3,800 | 1.3% |
| No known disability | 263,060 | 90.7% |
| Total HE enrolments | 290,000 | 100.0% |
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.
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Monday, 04 February 2013
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Russell on 28 February 2013
To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to support care leavers and people with (a) autism spectrum disorders, (b) Asperger syndrome, (c) attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and (d) social, emotional behavioural difficulties into further and higher education.
Answer
With the support of the Scottish Funding Council, a number of colleges and universities in Scotland have achieved, or are working with Buttle UK to achieve, the Buttle Quality Mark. This accreditation programme recognises the provision of systems of support relevant to care leavers.
We do not hold information on individual students and their particular support needs. Colleges and universities consider applications on a case-by-case basis and are required under Equalities legislation to make reasonable adjustments to accommodate students with additional support needs.
The Student Awards Agency for Scotland administers the Disabled Student’s Allowance which provides support to students studying a course of higher education. The Scottish Funding Council also provides additional funding to higher education institutions in the form of the Disabled Students Premium.
In further education, there are two additional funding streams available to institutions. Dominant Programme Group 18 (DPG 18) includes programmes which are specifically designed to meet the needs of students with learning difficulties arising from one or more specific categories of disability. Extended Learning Support (ELS) students study on courses outwith DPG 18 and this funding recognises that ELS students also have needs which arise from specific disability categories and which require additional expenditure on the part of the college. On an individual level, students can apply to their college for the Additional Support Needs for Learning Allowance.
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Monday, 04 February 2013
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Russell on 28 February 2013
To ask the Scottish Government how many and what percentage of care leavers and people with (a) autism spectrum disorders, (b) Asperger syndrome, (c) attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, (d) social, emotional behavioural difficulties and (e) learning disabilities are in higher education.
Answer
The Higher Education Statistics Authority (HESA) produces statistics for higher education students in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). The Scottish Funding Council (SFC) 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 is 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 following table shows the number of higher education enrolments split by disability type. Comparable population estimates are not available for these specific categories.
Enrolments in Higher Education (HE) in Scottish HEIs and colleges by disability type: 2010-11
| Disability Type | Number of HE enrolments |
| Blind or a serious visual impairment uncorrected by glasses | 525 |
| Deaf or a serious hearing impairment | 800 |
| A physical impairment or mobility issues, such as difficulty using arms or using a wheelchair or crutches | 820 |
| Personal care support | 20 |
| A mental health condition, such as depression, schizophrenia or anxiety disorder | 2,225 |
| A long standing illness or health condition such as cancer, HIV, diabetes, chronic heart disease, or epilepsy | 3,765 |
| Two or more impairments and/or disabling medical conditions | 2,100 |
| A social/communication impairment such as Aspergers syndrome/other autistic spectrum disorder (1) | 340 |
| A specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia, dyspraxia or AD(H)D | 9,400 |
| A disability, impairment or medical condition that is not listed above (1) | 3,145 |
| Not recorded | 3,800 |
| No known disability | 263,060 |
| Total HE enrolments | 290,000 |
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 five.
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.
