Chamber and committees

Scottish Government officials are in regular contact with their UK Government counterparts on a range of reserved issues, including the National Minimum Wage. The Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth will meet the new Scottish representative of the Low Pay Commission on 14 July to discuss a number of matters relating to the National Minimum Wage.

My officials have been informed that the UK Border Agency does not provide statistical information on a month by month basis. However, it has published quarterly reports for 2009 which are available on the UKBA website http://rds.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration-asylum-publications.html.

The reports detail the numbers of people who entered detention for immigration purposes “ these include a breakdown by age and place of detention. However, they do not specify if the children were those of asylum seeking families.

According to these reports a total of 100 children entered Dungavel detention centre.

Quarter (Period of Report)	No of Children Entered Dungavel
1 (January 2009 “ March 2009)	25
2 (April 2009 “ June 2009)	20
3 (July 2009 “ September 2009)	25
4 (October 2009 “ December 2009)	30
Total	100

 

These figures are not subject to detailed checks. Some detainees may be recorded more than once, for example, the person has been detained on more than one separate occasion in the time period shown, such as a person who has left detention, but has subsequently been re-detained.

Changes to arrangements for disregard of certain allowances and payments to kinship carers would result from amendments to secondary legislation brought forward by the Department for Work and Pensions and primary responsibility for issuing any guidance rests with them. To ensure that local authorities and kinship carers are aware of the changes the Scottish Government has engaged with organisations providing advice on benefit and tax credit issues “ such as Child Poverty Action Group and Citizens Advice Scotland on the implication of these amendments.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-33428 on 5 May 2010 which provided the most recent survey figures for the percentage of primary school pupils entitled to free school meals. The 2010 School Meals Survey is not due for publication until the 29 June 2010. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-33430 on 5 May 2010 which provided the most recent survey figures for the percentage of secondary school pupils entitled to free school meals. The 2010 School Meals Survey is not due for publication until 29 June 2010. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at:

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

The purpose of the seminar organised jointly with the Association of Directors of Social Work is to bring together the Directors of Children''s Services to consider what our shared priorities should be in ensuring that all looked after children, young people, care leavers and the people who look after them get the support they need.

I recognise, however, the acute and pressing needs of kinship carers, especially in the context of current economic conditions. I am therefore also planning to bring together key decision-makers and elected members from across local government and the kinship sector to explore the key issues and barriers faced in providing support to kinship carers. Kinship carers will be involved in this meeting.

Since the Corporate Parenting National Training Programme was announced on 21 April 2010 a programme board has been established and has met once.

Detailed programme plans including a schedule of training for all local authorities and community partners are being finalised by Who Cares? Scotland. The formal launch of the programme will be on the 25 May at the Who Cares? Scotland offices.

The Scottish Government understands that the Department for Work and Pensions intends to modify UK benefits legislation which will give a full disregard rather than a partial disregard to kinship carers in receipt of a kinship care allowance. At the maximum, this could lead to an increase in income of £47.69 per week per kinship carer. The precise amount gained will depend upon a number of factors, including the carer''s other income. The Scottish Government does not collect or hold the data necessary to assess an average financial benefit or the number of carers who will benefit.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-33426 on 12 May 2010. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

The Scottish Government fund the Child Poverty Action Group Scotland a total of £997,481 over 2008-11 to deliver second tier tax credit and benefit advice training to frontline workers.