Chamber and committees

We have set out the proposed arrangements in Scotland’s Future, based on the recommendations of the Fiscal Commission Working Group.

Financial services firms already contribute to the compensation scheme, and levels of protection for key aspects are harmonised and set at the European level as part of a single market in financial services. A proportionate levy to fund compensation would continue post-independence, as is the case now.

We see merit in a jointly operated or co-ordinated scheme to reflect consistent standards of key aspects of regulation in a highly integrated market and as part of a formal monetary union.

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-21335 on 3 June 2014. 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/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.

A formal currency union is in the interests of the rest of the UK. The Fiscal Commission Working Group, which consists of leading economic experts and two Nobel Laureates, has spelled out why this is the case.

The Scottish Government is committed to a properly functioning and well-regulated financial services sector which meets the needs of customers.

Bank deposits and other financial products will continue to be protected in an independent Scotland at the current levels of protection.

A wide range of learning opportunities remain available for those looking to enter training or education. For example, for those who want to gain employment or improve skills, colleges offer a wide range of provision. Local authority community-based adult learning programmes and those available through the third sector and private learning providers provide further opportunities.

Our funding for both 2013-14 and 2014-15 includes an additional £6.6 mililon for part-time places favoured by women and older learners.

The number of Scottish students attending Scottish universities is increasing. Between 2012-13 and 2013-14, there was a 2% increase in the numbers of students starting a course. To ensure that universities draw students from more disadvantaged backgrounds, they are being asked to describe how they can widen access in outcome agreements with the Scottish Funding Council.

Individual Learning Accounts are a demand-led source of funding, providing up to £200 per year towards the cost of learning. They are targeted at low paid, low skilled and unemployed individuals. The funding can be used towards a wide range of courses and supports individuals to improve their skills, gain qualifications and be better placed to get into or stay in employment.

In 2013, I established and chaired a National Strategic Forum for Adult Learning. This forum has worked with partners, including Scotland’s Learning Partnership, to develop a collective and current statement of Ambition for Adult Learning in Scotland, which reflects the best of national and international thinking onaAdult learning. The statement will be launched on 21 May 2014 during Adult Learners’ Week.

A wide range of learning opportunities are available for those looking to enter training or education. For example, for those who want to gain employment or improve skills, colleges offer a wide range of provision. Local authority community-based adult learning programmes and those available through the third sector and private learning providers provide further opportunities.

College students studying full-time courses are eligible for free tuition and are supported by record levels of student support, of over £102 million this academic year. This is part of a commitment of over £500 million for colleges, allowing them to maintain the number of full-time equivalent student places. And students progressing from HNC/Ds to 2^nd/3rd year of university are now exempt from council tax.

In addition to free tuition and improved support for part time study, the higher education student support package will provide a minimum income of £7,500 from 2014-15 for those with a household income of less than £17,000 per annum. Each university also operates a discretionary fund supported by investment from the Scottish Government.

Individual Learning Accounts are a demand-led source of funding, providing up to £200 per year towards the cost of learning. They are targeted at low paid, low skilled and unemployed individuals. The funding can be used towards a wide range of courses and supports individuals to improve their skills, gain qualifications and be better placed to get into or stay in employment.

In 2013, I established and chaired a National Strategic Forum for adult learning. This forum has worked with partners, including Scotland’s Learning Partnership, to develop a collective and current statement of Ambition for Adult Learning in Scotland, which reflects the best of national and international thinking on adult learning. The statement will be launched on 21 May 2014 during Adult Learners’ Week.

The International Adult Learners Charter, 2009 was produced by Scotland’s Learning Partnership on behalf of the Global Learners network.

In 2013 the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning established and chaired a National Strategic Forum for Adult Learning. This forum has worked with partners, including Scotland’s Learning Partnership, to develop a collective and current statement of Ambition for Adult Learning in Scotland, which reflects the best of national and international thinking on adult learning. There are therefore no plans to sign the International Charter. The statement will be launched on 21 May 2014 during Adult Learners’ Week.

Tackling loneliness is important. Evidence presented to the Ministerial Task Force on Health Inequalities showed the positive effect a person’s connectedness and inclusion in their family and community can have. The task force highlighted the development of ‘social capital’ as one of its four priorities as demonstrated in the government funding of the Link Up programme run by Inspiring Scotland.

Private landlords have a statutory duty to ensure that the homes they let are wind and watertight and in all other respects reasonably fit for human habitation. From 1 May 2013 landlords are required to provide new tenants with a tenant information pack, which will improve knowledge of the respective rights and responsibilities among tenants and landlords in the private rented sector. Any tenant who is concerned that their landlord has not carried out work that is needed to keep their home in a good condition can apply to the private rented housing panel, who have powers to enforce landlords’ duties.

The current Housing Bill includes measures to protect the most vulnerable tenants by allowing local authorities to apply to the private rented housing panel on their behalf. In line with our commitment in the Sustainable Housing Strategy, the Scottish Government has also recently published proposals for a forum to consider development of a common cross-tenure housing condition standard.

Information on damp is collected within the Scottish House Conditions Survey. Latest available results from 2012 showed that 7% or 19,000 dwellings nationally in the private rented sector had some presence of damp, which can range from a small damp patch in one room to prevalence throughout a dwelling. This compares to 4% or 90,000 dwellings nationally across all tenures.

The Scottish House Condition Survey further indicated that in 2012, around 1% of dwellings in the private rented sector (3,000 dwellings) would fail the tolerable standard due to damp. This compares to 1% or 18,000 dwellings nationally across all tenures.

Private landlords are required by section 14 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 to carry out any repairs needed to ensure that private rented homes meet the statutory repairing standard, though they may delegate work to their letting agents. Any tenant who is concerned that their landlord has not carried out work that is needed to keep their home in a good condition can apply to the private rented housing panel, who have powers to enforce landlords’ duties. The current Housing Bill includes measures to protect the most vulnerable tenants by allowing local authorities to apply to the private rented housing panel on their behalf.

If a house has a supply of gas, private landlords must ensure that annual gas safety inspections are carried out. The Scottish Government does not collect data on the number of inspections. Any private sector tenant who is concerned that their landlord has not carried out work that is needed to keep their home in a good condition can apply to the private rented housing panel, who have powers to enforce landlords’ duties. The current Housing Bill includes measures to protect the most vulnerable tenants by allowing local authorities to apply to the private rented housing panel on their behalf.