Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government recognises the important role work experience can play in supporting young people toward and into work. As we note in Action for Jobs – Supporting Young Scots into Work: Scotland’s Youth Employment Strategy, we will investigate existing guidance on work experience with relevant organisations and identify whether there is a need for further resources to be developed.

I have had no meetings with private sector employers specifically or solely on the living wage. However, the Scottish Government supports the payment of the living wage and encourages all employers within the public, private and third sectors in Scotland to do likewise, although this is a matter for employers.

Ministers have announced their intention to introduce a Sustainable Procurement Bill during the life of the current Parliament, and we will shortly hold a public consultation on the proposed policy content of the bill. We intend to use the consultation on the forthcoming bill as an opportunity to also consult private sector employers and other stakeholders on promotion of the living wage through public procurement activity.

Local authorities are self-governing bodies and set the terms and conditions under which staff are employed. I have had a number of meetings with local authorities since May, which have provided an opportunity to discuss a range of issues including the living wage. I welcome the fact that more and more councils are paying the living wage, with the majority of councils now either paying the living wage or committed to introducing it during 2012-13.

No decision on the mechanism for the distribution of funding has yet been taken. All key stakeholders including Community Planning Partnerships are involved in on going discussions concerning what activities should be funded, and how best they can be delivered.

Scottish Government officials are currently undertaking a scoping study to provide details of any gaps in service and to highlight those projects which are working well. This will enable the Scottish Government to strengthen the case with the European Commission for a strong focus on business support to encourage growth and provide small business with the confidence to expand through employability.

We will continue to work closely with the European Commission to discuss proposals and we expect the Programme Monitoring Committee in October, to agree the necessary changes to the Operational Programmes and to launch a call for projects very soon after that.