Questions and answers

Question reference: S4W-12838

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 04 February 2013
Current Status: Answered by Michael Russell on 28 February 2013

To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of further education students comprises care leavers and people with (a) autism spectrum disorders, (b) Asperger syndrome, (c) attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, (d) social, emotional behavioural difficulties and (e) learning disabilities.

The Scottish Funding Council produces statistics for further education students in colleges. The latest detailed data on students in further education is for the academic year 2010-11.

Data on care leavers are not currently available from the SFC. The Scottish Government is working with the SFC and institutions to ensure this information is captured in future years.

The following table shows the number and percentage of further education enrolments split by disability type.

Enrolments in further education (FE) in Scottish colleges by disability type: 2010-11

Disability Type	Number of FE enrolments	Percentage of all FE enrolments
Blind/partially sighted	1,065	0.3%
Deaf/hearing impairment	2,050	0.6%
Wheelchair user/mobility difficulties	2,355	0.7%
Personal care support	275	0.1%
Mental health difficulties	4,035	1.2%
Unseen disability not listed elsewhere e.g. diabetes/epilepsy	8,895	2.7%
Multiple disabilities	4,230	1.3%
Dyslexia	9,895	3.0%
A disability not listed above (1)	10,315	3.1%
Not recorded	34,695	10.5%
No known disability	253,840	76.5%
Total FE enrolments	331,650	100.0%

Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) and Scottish Funding Council (SFC).

Notes:

1. For colleges, students with an autistic spectrum disorder are included in the category 'A disability, impairment or medical condition not listed above' as they are not reported on separately.

Enrolment numbers rounded to the nearest 5.

Some further education courses have a duration of less than one academic year, therefore students can enrol more than once per year. The number of FE enrolments will be higher than the number of students. Enrolments have been provided in this table to ensure comparability with the HE enrolment numbers provided in the answer to question S4W-12837 on 28 February 2013.

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.

Question reference: S4W-12833

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 04 February 2013
Current Status: Answered by Michael Russell on 28 February 2013

To ask the Scottish Government how many and what percentage of care leavers and people with (a) autism spectrum disorders, (b) Asperger syndrome, (c) attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, (d) social, emotional behavioural difficulties and (e) learning disabilities are in further education.

The Scottish Funding Council (SFC) produces statistics for further education students in colleges. The latest detailed data on students in further education is for the academic year 2010-11.

Data on care leavers is not currently available from the SFC. The Scottish Government is working with the SFC and institutions to ensure this information is captured in future years.

The following table shows the number of further education enrolments split by disability type. Comparable population estimates are not available for these specific categories.

Enrolments in further education (FE) in Scottish colleges by disability type: 2010-11

Disability Type	Number of FE enrolments
Blind/partially sighted	1,065
Deaf/hearing impairment	2,050
Wheelchair user/mobility difficulties	2,355
Personal care support	275
Mental health difficulties	4,035
Unseen disability not listed elsewhere e.g. diabetes/epilepsy	8,895
Multiple disabilities	4,230
Dyslexia	9,895
A disability not listed above (1)	10,315
Not recorded	34,695
No known disability	253,840
Total FE enrolments	331,650

Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) and Scottish Funding Council (SFC).

Notes:

(1) For colleges, students with an autistic spectrum disorder are included in the category 'A disability, impairment or medical condition not listed above' as they are not reported on separately.

Enrolment numbers rounded to the nearest five.

Some further education courses have a duration of less than one academic year, therefore students can enrol more than once per year. The number of FE enrolments will be higher than the number of students. Enrolments have been provided in this table to ensure comparability with the HE enrolment numbers provided in the answer to question S4W-12837 on 28 February 2013.

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

Question reference: S4W-12835

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 04 February 2013
Current Status: Answered by Michael Russell on 28 February 2013

To ask the Scottish Government how many and what percentage of care leavers and people with (a) autism spectrum disorders, (b) Asperger syndrome, (c) attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, (d) social, emotional behavioural difficulties and (e) learning disabilities are in employment.

No data is held centrally regarding the employment status of all care leavers.

The Annual Population Survey (APS) provides estimates of employment across Scotland; however the only data available for those specific conditions requested covers those who have any learning difficulties or disabilities. The latest APS data covers the period from October 2011 to September 2012.

In Scotland it is estimated that there are 9,000 people aged 16 and over with learning difficulties or disabilities who are in employment. Approximately 23.0% of all those aged 16+ with learning difficulties or disabilities are in employment; this is not the same as the employment rate for this group as it is based on those aged 16+ including those beyond retirement age.

The APS is a population survey and so there is an amount of variability in this estimate.

Source: Annual Population Survey, Office for National Statistics

Notes:

1. Level rounded to nearest thousand, percentage based on unrounded figures.

2. The sub-group of interest here is relatively small therefore this estimate is not as reliable as those for the total population aged 16+.

3. Learning difficulties and disabilities includes conditions such as dyslexia or dyscalculia; mental impairments or mental handicap.

Question reference: S4W-12837

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 04 February 2013
Current Status: Answered by Michael Russell on 28 February 2013

To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of higher education students comprises care leavers and people with (a) autism spectrum disorders, (b) Asperger syndrome, (c) attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, (d) social, emotional behavioural difficulties and (e) learning disabilities.

The Higher Education Statistics Authority (HESA) produces statistics for higher education students in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). The Scottish Funding Council produces statistics for higher education students in colleges. The latest detailed data on students in higher education is for the academic year 2010-11.

Data on care leavers are not currently available from HESA or the SFC. The Scottish Government is working with HESA, the SFC and institutions to ensure this information is captured in future years.

The table below shows the number and percentage of higher education enrolments split by disability type.

Enrolments in higher education (HE) in Scottish HEIs and colleges by disability type: 2010-11

Disability Type	Number of HE enrolments	Percentage of all HE enrolments
Blind or a serious visual impairment uncorrected by glasses	525	0.2%
Deaf or a serious hearing impairment	800	0.3%
A physical impairment or mobility issues, such as difficulty using arms or using a wheelchair or crutches	820	0.3%
Personal care support	20	0.0%
A mental health condition, such as depression, schizophrenia or anxiety disorder	2,225	0.8%
A long standing illness or health condition such as cancer, HIV, diabetes, chronic heart disease, or epilepsy	3,765	1.3%
Two or more impairments and/or disabling medical conditions	2,100	0.7%
A social/communication impairment such as Aspergers syndrome/other autistic spectrum disorder (1)	340	0.1%
A specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia, dyspraxia or AD(H)D	9,400	3.2%
A disability, impairment or medical condition that is not listed above (1)	3,145	1.1%
Not recorded	3,800	1.3%
No known disability	263,060	90.7%
Total HE enrolments	290,000	100.0%

Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) and Scottish Funding Council (SFC).

Notes:

1 For colleges, students with an autistic spectrum disorder are included in the category 'A disability, impairment or medical condition not listed above' as they are not reported on separately.

Enrolment numbers rounded to the nearest 5.

The vast majority of higher education courses have a duration of at least one academic year, therefore students generally enrol once per year. The number of HE enrolments is broadly comparable to the number of HE students.

Question reference: S4W-12834

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 04 February 2013
Current Status: Answered by Michael Russell on 28 February 2013

To ask the Scottish Government how many and what percentage of care leavers and people with (a) autism spectrum disorders, (b) Asperger syndrome, (c) attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, (d) social, emotional behavioural difficulties and (e) learning disabilities are in higher education.

The Higher Education Statistics Authority (HESA) produces statistics for higher education students in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). The Scottish Funding Council (SFC) produces statistics for higher education students in colleges. The latest detailed data on students in higher education is for the academic year 2010-11.

Data on care leavers is not currently available from HESA or the SFC. The Scottish Government is working with HESA, the SFC and institutions to ensure this information is captured in future years.

The following table shows the number of higher education enrolments split by disability type. Comparable population estimates are not available for these specific categories.

Enrolments in Higher Education (HE) in Scottish HEIs and colleges by disability type: 2010-11

Disability Type	Number of HE enrolments
Blind or a serious visual impairment uncorrected by glasses	525
Deaf or a serious hearing impairment	800
A physical impairment or mobility issues, such as difficulty using arms or using a wheelchair or crutches	820
Personal care support	20
A mental health condition, such as depression, schizophrenia or anxiety disorder	2,225
A long standing illness or health condition such as cancer, HIV, diabetes, chronic heart disease, or epilepsy	3,765
Two or more impairments and/or disabling medical conditions	2,100
A social/communication impairment such as Aspergers syndrome/other autistic spectrum disorder (1)	340
A specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia, dyspraxia or AD(H)D	9,400
A disability, impairment or medical condition that is not listed above (1)	3,145
Not recorded	3,800
No known disability	263,060
Total HE enrolments	290,000

Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) and Scottish Funding Council (SFC).

Notes:

(1) For colleges, students with an autistic spectrum disorder are included in the category 'A disability, impairment or medical condition not listed above' as they are not reported on separately.

Enrolment numbers rounded to the nearest five.

The vast majority of higher education courses have a duration of at least one academic year, therefore students generally enrol once per year. The number of HE enrolments is broadly comparable to the number of HE students.

Question reference: S4W-12832

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 04 February 2013
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 27 February 2013

To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to support care leavers and people with (a) autism spectrum disorders, (b) Asperger syndrome, (c) attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and (d) social, emotional behavioural difficulties into employment.

The Scottish Government is committed to supporting all young people with additional support needs who want to work, and it is our ambition that with the right support, they are able to find work in mainstream employment, taking account of their specific needs, and in line with their skills.

In support of this, the Scottish Government has:

Made a specific commitment to all 16 – 19 year olds seeking a place in education or training through Opportunities for All. This is supported by £30 million new investment;

Updated our Post 16 Transitions Policy and Practice Framework which includes specific guidance on how to support the transitions of young people with additional support needs from school into post-school education and employment; and

Provided £1.5 million over three financial years in support of an Employer Recruitment Incentive for 1000 young people within disadvantaged groups.

Question reference: S4W-12666

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 29 January 2013
Current Status: Answered by Fergus Ewing on 22 February 2013

To ask the Scottish Government how much of the heat produced at the Steven's Croft Biomass Power Station in Lockerbie is used and how much is vented.

Question reference: S4W-12617

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 28 January 2013
Current Status: Answered by Nicola Sturgeon on 11 February 2013

To ask the Scottish Government, prior to issuing its news release on 23 January 2013 on fuel poverty, what discussions it had with Ofgem regarding the investigation into claims of wholesale energy price fixing and whether the regulator indicated to it that the investigation had concluded.

The Scottish Government has not had any discussions with Ofgem regarding its investigation into claims of wholesale energy price fixing.

The Scottish Government has repeatedly called on Ofgem and the UK Government to take firmer action to deliver an energy market that is transparent, fair, competitive and effective to ensure that consumers are protected. The allegations of price fixing in the wholesale gas market which emerged on 13 November 2012 were of great concern to the Scottish Government and it called for swift and effective action to fully assess the allegations. As such, the Scottish Government urges Ofgem and the Financial Services Authority to press ahead with their investigations into these allegations; including publishing outcomes and taking any required action, as soon as possible, to ensure that any wrongdoing, where founded, is punished and that the consumers are protected.

The Scottish Government will continue to work with stakeholders across the energy sector, including energy suppliers, Ofgem and the UK Government, to ensure that Scottish consumers get the best deal on their energy bills.

Question reference: S4W-12497

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 24 January 2013
Current Status: Answered by Nicola Sturgeon on 6 February 2013

To ask the Scottish Government when it first informed the UK Government that it wanted to table its six-point list of demands on fuel poverty at the joint energy summit held on 24 January 2013.

The Scottish Government had a number of meetings and communications with Scotland Office officials, dating from August 2012, to organise a joint energy summit and to ensure that the event achieved positive outcomes for Scottish households suffering from high energy prices. Difficulty in securing earlier UK Ministerial attendance resulted in the summit date of 24 January 2013.

In the interim, the Deputy First Minister asked to meet with each of the major energy companies, regarding assistance for vulnerable consumers.

A meeting was held between Scottish Government and Scotland Office officials on 15 January 2013 to discuss the agenda for the summit. Scottish Government officials made the Scotland Office aware of the Deputy First Minister’s meetings with the major energy companies (confirmed in an email of 18 January 2013), who would be attending and also raised matters of concern to stakeholders regarding the Energy Companies Obligation. Scottish Government officials also requested a nominated Department for Energy and Climate Change official to discuss what matters they were planning to raise at the summit. A teleconference between Scottish Government officials and a Department for Energy and Climate Change official on 21 January 2013 covered the respective issues for the summit.

On 22 January 2013 Scottish Government officials emailed Scotland Office officials to confirm that the Minister for Housing and Welfare would address support for vulnerable customers in Scotland and the asks of energy suppliers and UK Government in her agenda item. Scotland Office officials confirmed by email that they were content with these points.

Question reference: S4W-12496

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 24 January 2013
Current Status: Answered by Nicola Sturgeon on 6 February 2013

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it had with the UK Government regarding the agenda for the joint energy summit that was held on 24 January 2013 and when it advised the UK Government that it had prepared the news release, which was published on 23 January 2013, containing its six-point list of demands on fuel poverty.

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12497 on 6 February 2013. Scottish Government officials liaised with the UK Government officials regularly in the build-up to the summit. The Scottish Government issued the news release following a debate on fuel poverty in the Scottish Parliament. It reflected the content of the debate and set out the key points of action the Scottish Government believes need to be taken to further tackle fuel poverty.

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.

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