Chamber and committees

Currently, there are no plans to establish a guaranteed loan fund for credit unions.

The Scottish Government has no current plans to hold such a conference, but dialogue with local criminal justice service providers, including those responsible for Drug Treatment and Testing Orders, continues on a regular basis.

We will be considering how to ensure robust and proportionate governance of the programmes involving a range of key stakeholders and will consult on our plans in due course. COSLA, individual local authorities and other CPP partners, and the third sector, are already being engaged in evaluations of current arrangements, and plans for 2014 onwards.

In line with the Partnership approach required by new EU Regulations for 2014, discussions have started with stakeholders on the shape of the proposals and the opportunities these present. It is too early to identify the size of the match funding required and discussion will continue as the programmes firm up.

The Scottish Government is aware that match funding will be a concern for many organisations who access EU Funds. We are considering a range of options, including matching with funds from core budgets, local authorities and enterprise agencies where possible. However, it is inevitable that with falling budgets in Europe and at home, this will continue to be an issue.

The European Commission’s proposals for the 2014-20 period are strongly focused on achieving Europe 2020 targets for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. This is strongly aligned with the Government’s Economic Strategy, including a focus on low carbon economy, research and development, better skills and social inclusion and equity.

The Structural, Rural Development and Fisheries Funds already contribute to community development and social inclusion in both deprived urban and remote and peripheral rural areas. We are working with stakeholders to identify ways of improving the outcomes we get in communities in need, including local approaches to identifying spending priorities.

The Scottish Government has been consulting with a range of stakeholders as part of developing our approach to the new funding programmes, this has included local government, enterprise agencies, statutory bodies, the private sector and voluntary bodies.

Different funds have in addition made specific arrangements, for example working groups, on-line surveys and consultations, and stakeholder events. We will consult further on those Funds which the Scottish government will have responsibility for dispersing over the course of 2013.

Scottish Government officials have regular discussions with the European Commission on a range of issues, including European funding, and will continue to do so.

Negotiations are underway in Europe about both budgets for the various Funds, and the precise regulations which will govern them from 2014 onwards. All of these negotiations should reach conclusions over the next year, and we are making clear representations on Scotland’s priorities for economic development, rural areas, fisheries policies and research and innovation at both political and official levels. Cabinet Secretaries and Ministers continue to attend European Council for discussions.

The Scottish Government welcomed the Youth Commissioner's report at the time it was published. There has been progress around a number of the recommendations such as an evaluation of the effectiveness of test purchasing, and other measures to enforce underage alcohol sales regulation. The Scottish Government agrees about the importance of ensuring young people are involved in the licensing process, and they can do this through their local licensing forums.

Youth Commissioners have also presented to a number of influential organisations and networks, and fed into the development of the Quality Alcohol Treatment and Support report, published in March 2011. The views of the Commission, along with other key stakeholders, informed the report recommendations which support improved service delivery at local level.

These are just some of the ways that the Youth Commission report has helped inform our policy and practice, as well as setting a positive example for the future involvement of young people at both local and national level.

The regulations have had a significant impact, demonstrated by a marked reduction in incidents reported to the police. Regulations cannot eradicate all fireworks related incidents but they have reduced them significantly.

Excessive alcohol consumption is estimated to cost Scots £3.6 billion each year, which equates to £900 for every adult in Scotland. The estimate of £3.6 billion includes around £870 million in lost productivity, around £730 million in crime costs and around £270 million to the NHS including psychiatric health services.

The Scottish Government published the Mental Health Strategy for Scotland 2012-15 in August 2012. In it we recognise that there are strong links between depression and drinking above recommended guidelines, and make a commitment to work with NHS boards and partners to more effectively link the work on alcohol and depression and other common mental health problems to improve identification and treatment, with a particular focus on primary care.

The Scottish Government provides funding to NHS boards and Alcohol and Drugs Partnerships (ADPs) in order that they can deliver the range of services required meeting the needs of their local population including alcohol misuse and psychiatric health services. The Scottish Government has made a record investment of £196 million to tackle alcohol use since 2008. The bulk of the funding - £173 million has been to ADPs for investment in local prevention, treatment and support services.

We believe that a minimum price per unit of alcohol is an effective and efficient way to tackle alcohol misuse in Scotland.

However we recognise that no single action will bring about the change which is required, which is why we have outlined a package of over 40 measures in our Framework for Action document which seek to reduce consumption, to support families and communities, encourage more positive attitudes and positive choices and to improve treatment and support services.