Chamber and committees

Statistics on the proportion of pupils with 90% or lower attendance are published by local authority and school sector in table 4.1 of the school attendance and absence statistics 2022-23, available here:

https://www.gov.scot/publications/school-attendance-and-absence-statistics/

The Scottish Government plans to publish these statistics annually.

The range of statistics published on attendance will be kept under review.

The Scottish Government is committed to the expansion of the free school meal programme and the next phase will support those in receipt of Scottish Child Payment in Primaries 6 and 7 from February 2025.

To support this expansion we have made provision for £43m of capital funding in 2024-25 to support the infrastructure development required to deliver the next phase of the free school meal programme. This is in addition to the £10m of capital funding provided in 2023-24.

The Scottish Government continues to work closely with COSLA to deliver our free school meal expansion programme.

We continue to take forward our commitments to improving the accessibility and adaptability of new homes in Scotland.

Responses to the consultation on proposals for enhancing the accessibility, adaptability and usability of Scotland's homes are currently being analysed, and a report on feedback will be published in due course.

The Affordable Housing Supply Programme (AHSP) funding for 2024-25 is not allocated to specific properties. Funding is made available to local authority areas through Resource Planning Assumptions (RPAs) to support local authority priority projects which are either already approved or will be approved during that year. Projects receiving funding will include a mix of dwelling types and could include both wheelchair accessible and homes specifically designed for wheelchair users. Projects can be funded across different financial years as the monies are drawn down on receipt of certification of works and so it is not possible to disaggregate the spend or funding in this way.

All new build homes supported by the Affordable Housing Supply Programme should, where possible, meet Housing for Varying Needs standard which means that they should be accessible for wheelchair users.

Whilst we do not set a public target per set, the numbers of available bursaries are published each year.

Within the context of the challenging budget position for 2024-25, achieving a balanced budget requires difficult decisions and robust spending control. Discussions are ongoing to work through priorities and finalise funding allocations within budget lines, including the Strengthening Communities Programme (SCP). Funding is being released as decisions are taken so ensuring that activity can proceed in agreed areas as soon as possible whilst this review continues.

However, in response to ongoing discussions with Development Trusts Association Scotland (DTAS) and other SCP partners, the release of funds to support April salaries costs is being processed for the community organisations supported by DTAS. Officials are in regular communication with DTAS and the other SCP delivery partners on this issue.

The Scottish Budget confirmed that the financial outlook for 2024-25 across Government is particularly challenging with future prospects continuing to be volatile. As such, the 2024-25 budget is a single year spending plan and no decisions have been made in relation to the budget for the Strengthening Communities Programme from 1 April 2025.

Every action is being taken to facilitate an early decision on this funding, following which officials will be in contact with stakeholders.

Every year, the Scottish Government clearly sets out how many bursaries are available. Arrangements for the 2024-25 bursary scheme are currently under consideration by the Teaching Bursary advisory group and will be publicised shortly.

In 2023, 70 bursaries were awarded to individuals wishing to change career and undertake a Post Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE).

Since the introduction of the scheme, 659 bursaries have been awarded.