- Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 27 March 2018
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Current Status:
Answered by Maree Todd on 25 April 2018
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what progress it is making with its plans to deliver 1,140 hours of free early learning and childcare from 2020, and what recent discussions it has had with (a) COSLA and (b) local authorities regarding any funding concerns that have been expressed about achieving this.
Answer
In March 2017 the Scottish Government published A Blueprint for 2020: 2017-18 Action Plan . This set out the policy vision and framework for delivering the expansion of the early learning and childcare (ELC) entitlement. It committed us to a series of actions, to be delivered by the end of March 2018 to ensure that the expansion of ELC is rooted in a high quality experience for our children, and; to support our delivery partners in building additional capacity. We, along with our deliver partners, have made significant progress since the publication of the 2017-18 Action Plan and are on track to deliver 1,140 hours of funded early learning and childcare from 2020.
The Scottish Government is committed to making an unprecedented level of investment in early learning and childcare, and is continuing to work with local authorities to agree a sustainable multi-year funding package which will deliver the requirements of the expansion, taking account of local authority cost estimates reflected in ELC Expansion Plans. On 29 March 2018 Scottish Ministers and COSLA Leaders met to progress funding discussions, with a view to reaching agreement on the multi-year funding package soon.
- Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 April 2018
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 26 April 2018
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to close the attainment gap.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 26 April 2018
- Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 12 March 2018
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Current Status:
Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 27 March 2018
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to remove the (a) physical and (b) social barriers that disabled musicians face.
Answer
The primary aim of the Disability Action Plan, A Fairer Scotland for Disabled People , is to remove the barriers that stop disabled people from participating fully in their communities, and at national and international levels. Our goal is for all disabled people to have choice and control, dignity and freedom to live the life they choose, with the support they need to do so. The Plan may be accessed here:- http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2016/12/3778/0
Equalities, access and participation are critical to the music sector to ensure that opportunities to engage with quality music-making are available to as many people, and as many distinct groups, as possible. Paragon Ensemble, Drake Music Scotland, for example, are all supported through Creative Scotland and are critical in ensuring equal access for all.
- Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 12 March 2018
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Current Status:
Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 26 March 2018
To ask the Scottish Government what funding it makes available at a (a) community and (b) national level to promote disabled musicians, and what action it can take to protect this.
Answer
This Government recognises the pivotal role that culture, creativity and music plays in people’s lives across Scotland which is why the 2018-19 Budget includes an increase in culture funding of almost 10%, despite the continued UK Government real terms cuts to Scotland’s resource budget. In 2018/19 the Scottish Government is investing £9million in the Youth Music Initiative ensuring every school pupil in Scotland is offered a year of free music tuition by the time they leave primary school and enabling access to music making opportunities for thousands of young people across Scotland who otherwise might not have the opportunity.
The Scottish Government also supports Sistema Scotland which has Big Noise Centres in Raploch, Govanhill, Torry and Douglas. The £2.5m four-year funding package is enabling the youth orchestra programme to sustain and build on its work to enhance the health, wellbeing and prospects of young people in the communities of Stirling, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Dundee.
All of the five Scottish Government-funded National Performing Companies also have initiatives to encourage cultural activity and participation, with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Scottish Chamber Orchestra providing programmes that connect to disabled musicians, often in collaboration with partners such as Drake Music Scotland, universities and hospitals.
Creative Scotland works with a range of partners to ensure people have the opportunity to engage in music which is crucial for building people's confidence, self-esteem and personal skills. Its funding delivers three main types of support, consisting of Regular Funding for organisations for three years, open Project Funding for individuals and organisations and targeted funds. The recently announced 2018-21 Creative Scotland Regular Funding Network consists of 121 organisations supported by £101.6m. Equalities, diversity and inclusion are embedded through the music network being supported by Creative Scotland, from the sector-leading work of Drake Music Scotland and Paragon Ensemble , to the dynamic Tinderbox Collective working with disabled musicians.
- Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 12 March 2018
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Current Status:
Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 26 March 2018
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the effectiveness of the assistive music technology, which has been pioneered by the Drake Music School, in making music accessible, and how it encourages and supports the developments of such initiatives.
Answer
The Scottish Government is committed to supporting, developing and promoting Scotland's creative talent, and ensuring that Scotland's culture reaches a wide audience at home and abroad. The use of technology and innovation in making music making more accessible is welcomed. On 9 March 2018, forty-eight organisations were awarded almost £1.6 million through the Youth Music Initiative to enable more young people to learn about and enjoy musical activities. This included support for Drake Music Scotland to provide music opportunities for disabled young people or additional support needs in the Glasgow area and north-east of Scotland.
- Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 12 March 2018
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Current Status:
Answered by Jeane Freeman on 26 March 2018
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to help connect disabled and non-disabled people at (a) a community, (b) a national and (c) an international level.
Answer
The primary aim of the Disability Action Plan, A Fairer Scotland for Disabled People , is to remove the barriers that stop disabled people from participating fully in their communities, and at national and international levels. Our goal is for all disabled people to have choice and control, dignity and freedom to live the life they choose, with the support they need to do so. The Plan may be accessed here:- http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2016/12/3778/0
Across Scottish Government, Ministers are leading on the delivery of actions which fall to their portfolio area.
- Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 12 March 2018
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Current Status:
Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 26 March 2018
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to tackle the prejudice and stigma that disabled musicians might face.
Answer
There is no place for prejudice or stigma of any kind in Scotland. Culture contributes to the development of a fairer and more diverse Scotland and as a Government we are committed to tackling inequality and making Scotland a stronger, fairer, more inclusive society, including within the culture sector. The initial engagement phase of Scotland’s Culture Strategy demonstrates a strong desire for tackling inequalities to be a central part of its vision and priorities.
- Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 12 March 2018
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Current Status:
Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 20 March 2018
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve access to music venues for disabled (a) performers and (b) people wishing to attend events.
Answer
The Disability Action Plan A Fairer Scotland for Disabled People is removing barriers that stop disabled people from participating fully in communities. We are ensuring barriers to accessing and participating in Scotland's culture are removed. We are currently developing a culture strategy with and for the people of Scotland which will set out a vision and priorities for the future development of culture which enables everyone to have an equal opportunity to take part in and contribute to culture throughout the country.
Creative Scotland's future plans and revised Equalities Outcomes wereinformed by their review of equality, diversity and inclusion in the arts, screen and creative industries. Creative Scotland undertook a major Equalities, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Review both in Creative Scotland and in the sectors they support. They now require all their funded organisations to have Equalities, Diversity and Inclusion Action Plans in place as a condition of funding, and they are supporting organisations to be ambitious in the delivery of EDI. The EDI Review has been a comprehensive process resulting in revised EDI Outcomes 2017-21 being published including a focus on four revised outcomes and key actions being taken to support them along with a plan on measuring progress against them.One of those outcomes is widening attendance and participation in the arts, screen and creative industries. Creative Scotland are working with a range of partners, including other cultural partners, local authorities, health boards and others, to increase opportunities for engagement throughout the country, and support artists and organisations to understand their audiences better and address any barriers to engagement and participation to help tackle inequalities, deliver social justice and transform communities. Creative Scotland's EDI Report sets out the progress Creative Scotland are making to mainstream equalities and deliver their Equality Outcomes to 2017. This may be found here:- http://www.creativescotland.com/resources/our-publications/policies/equalities-in-creative-Scotland
- Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 12 March 2018
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Current Status:
Answered by Fergus Ewing on 20 March 2018
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5O-01803 by Fergus Ewing on 22 February 2018, what percentage of premises in the Scottish Borders will have access to superfast broadband by 31 December 2018.
Answer
As of the end of Q2 2017-18, 82.7% of all premises in the Scottish Borders are now able to access fibre broadband, and 79.7% are able to access speeds of 24Mbps and above. Without the investment made through the Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband (DSSB) programme, it was predicted that only 39.3% of premises would have been able to access fibre broadband.
Figures for the end of 2017 are being assured at present and should be available in the near future.
Extended build through the DSSB programme is planned throughout 2018, thanks to Gainshare funding. However, at this time, we cannot confirm how many additional premises in the Scottish Borders may benefit from this extended build.
- Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 March 2018
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 21 March 2018
To ask the Scottish Government what support it offers to people from lower income backgrounds to tackle inequality.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 21 March 2018
