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The Commissioner for Fair Access is based in London and much of his work in Scotland will involve engagement with stakeholders across the education sector at a variety of locations. The Commissioner will have access to Scottish Government meeting rooms should he require meeting space in Scotland and is likely to undertake some work from London. There are therefore no direct accommodation costs associated with this role.

The Commission made 34 recommendations for different parts of the education system, a number of which were for the Scottish Government to take forward. In line with dates set by the Commission, the Government has appointed a Commissioner for Fair Access and has also made arrangements for the provision of a care experience bursary for those studying in 2017-18. The Government immediately accepted the targets proposed by the Commission and officials have liaised with the Scottish Funding Council to ensure that these are reflected in the latest outcome agreement guidance.

The Government will publish a formal report on progress against the Commission’s recommendations in Spring 2017.

In line with recommendation 1 of the Commission on Widening Access’s final report, the Scottish Government will ensure an appropriate budget is available to support the Commissioner for Fair Access’s work to develop an improved evidence base. The Commissioner is currently considering the priorities for research on access in Scotland and resources made available for research will be informed by Professor Scott’s assessment of the need for new work to be carried out.

There was no direct cost associated with the appointment of a Commissioner for Fair Access. Work to support the appointment was undertaken by Scottish Government officials.

Exact running costs associated with the position of Commissioner for Fair Access cannot be identified, as they may be subject to change as the requirements of the role itself adjust and mature. Relevant costs will include the Commissioner’s fees and expenses and staffing costs as outlined in the answer to question S5W-06719 on 21 February 2017. Staffing support and the level of required investment will be dependent on need as work progresses, and therefore may vary. The Commissioner’s own fees are not expected to exceed £1,000 per month. Further, the Commissioner will be reimbursed for expenses at the Scottish Government’s normal travel and subsistence rates.

All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at:

http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx

At the current time, the Commissioner for Fair Access has the following staff available to him to support his work:

1 x full time SG Statistician (salary range £46,424 to £55,275)

1 x full time Implementation Adviser/Researcher who is seconded from the university sector (salary range £46,424 to £55,275)

1 x 0.5 full time equivalent SG Policy Team Leader (salary range £46,424 to £55,275)

1 x 0.25 full time equivalent SG Policy Officer (salary range: £23,383 to £26,448)

This support complement will be further expanded if and as required and will be informed by the Commissioner’s assessment of his needs for staffing support.

The Scottish Government welcomes this report and notes that many of the recommendations reinforce those made by the Commission on Widening Access. The research provides new evidence on how best to target access programmes and identify individuals when supporting learners in the west of Scotland and this will be considered by the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) as part of its planned review of SFC funded programmes. The findings will also inform work to develop more individualised measures to support access, as recommended by the Commission on Widening Access.

The Scottish Funding Council will consider the recommendations within the report as part of its work to support access and will engage with relevant stakeholders as necessary.

A document containing this data has been placed in SPICe with the Bib number 58531.

(a) Modern Apprenticeships,

SG spent the following on modern apprenticeships in the last five years

(b) National Occupation Standards,

SG spent the following on National Occupational Standards in the last five years

(c) Graduate Level Apprenticeships,

SG spent the following on Graduate Level Apprenticeships in the last five years

(d) Foundation Apprenticeships,

SG spent the following on Foundation apprenticeships in the last five years

e) Workforce Development

SG spent the following on Workforce Development in the last five years

* Employment focussed College provision figures are not available as they are not held centrally within SG.

(f) Pre-employment support

SG spent the following on pre -employment support in the last five years

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-06715 on 10 February 2017. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx