Chamber and committees

The Energy Assistance Package started in April 2009. The following table is provided by the Managing Agent (Scottish Gas). Figures for 2010-11 are not yet available.

Ministers have expressed their concern over the recent price increases announced by Scottish Power and its impact on fuel poverty. Our estimate is that up to an additional 170,000 households could be placed into fuel poverty if the increase is replicated across all suppliers.

Based on the returns made to date by the 27 local authorities who participated in the UHIS programme in 2010-11, the estimates for the amount of reduction in carbon emissions are as follows:

12,989.843 kilotonnes (on an annual basis)

519,071.200 kilotonnes (over the lifetime of the measures, assumed to be 40 years).

These figure will be subject to being adjusted upwards, as the final installations taking place under the programme are completed.

Invitations to local authorities to bid for funding for UHIS in 2011-12 were issued on 1 July 2011, with a submission deadline of 12 August 2011.

For 2011-12, the level of reductions in carbon emissions will be determined by the proposals put forward by local authorities and the grant awards made to them through the UHIS bidding and assessment process, currently underway. It is not possible to estimate for subsequent years, as funding beyond 2011-12 will be a matter for the Spending Review, and subsequent reviews.

The warm homes fund will deliver renewable energy and energy-efficient homes in those areas worse affected by fuel poverty. The operational details, including the criteria for consideration for funding, are being worked on and will be announced in due course.

Scottish ministers have expressed their concern over recent price increases announced by Scottish Power, both to the Company itself and the regulator, Ofgem. We estimate that up to a further 170,000 households could be placed into fuel poverty if the increase was replicated across all suppliers. Scottish ministers remain committed to the 2016 target but it is extremely challenging in the light of recent energy price increases.

The warm homes fund will deliver renewable energy and energy-efficient homes in those communities worse affected by fuel poverty. We expect to publish more details on the fund in the spending review.

Applications under the Energy Assistance Package are normally prioritised by date order, with the exception of vulnerable groups or people who are terminally ill and in possession of a DS1500 certificate. Priority is given to applicants with a supporting letter from a medical consultant or a social worker. Where someone is terminally ill and holds a DS1500 certificate they are automatically fast tracked.

The Scottish Government has clearly stated its commitment to the implementation of Curriculum for Excellence, which includes working towards two hours per week of physical education (PE) in primary schools and at least two periods of PE in secondary schools for pupils in S1 to S4. Ministers will continue discussions with stakeholders on how we can ensure the delivery of those important commitments by 2014.

Scottish ministers are proud of the actions we have already taken to provide free school meals in Scotland, which last year extended eligibility to an additional 17,000 children and young people. In time we will look at ways of expanding current provision.

As outlined in my statement to the Parliament on 29 June 2011, I will set out a wider package of reforms on post-16 education later in 2011. Any legislation on higher education would be brought forward next year as a result of this wider package of reform.