Chamber and committees

Consultant posts that have been unfilled for more than six months are recorded as vacant by ISD Scotland.

We continue to work closely with NHS Scotland boards to support their staff recruitment efforts – that is why we have seen the number of Consultants increase by a record 43.1% under this Government, to over 5,200 Whole Time Equivalent.

Tackling poverty and inequality is a key priority for this Government and we will look seriously at all measures that have the potential to reduce child poverty in Scotland. A huge amount of work is underway to consider options on what we might do differently in Scotland with the new powers, and consultations on social security and child poverty are ongoing.

We have already made commitments to extend the eligibility for winter fuel payments to families with children in receipt of the highest care component of the Disability Living Allowance, and to replace the Sure Start Maternity Grant with an expanded Best Start Grant.

All of this is set against the backdrop of a tough financial climate and decisions will be required to ensure we deliver a system that best meets the needs of those most in need – one that is affordable, deliverable, and above all ensure a safe and secure transition for all those who rely on the benefits that will be devolved.

There will continue to be a range of employability support in Scotland in 2017-18 for those who are not eligible for Work First Scotland and Work Able Scotland. This includes Scottish Government funded provision, such as the Employability Fund. Our national skills agency, Skills Development Scotland also provides a range of support and training to help people to gain the skills they need to find work, and to stay in work.

The Scottish Government works in partnership with wide range of Third Sector Organisations and each of Scotland’s Local Authorities to offer a range of local employability services. More detail is at http://www.employabilityinscotland.com/. With the functions of JobCentre Plus remaining reserved, the UK Government continues to have a primary responsibility for supporting those who are unemployed and in receipt of working age benefits back to work.

We have made clear that our priority is the safe and secure transition of the benefit areas that are being devolved to Scotland. To support that, we are currently consulting on how we might use our new social security powers.

Employment and Support Allowance will remain reserved to the UK Government. Uprating is therefore a matter for that Government.

I refer the member to my previous answer S5W-01875 on 7 September 2016, in relation to the West Highland Line. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx

The ScotRail franchise is required to provide a minimum of two bookable spaces on trains across the network, and cycles are carried free of charge. The day to day operation of the train fleet operating on the borders route and how they assist passengers on board rests with ScotRail. Their on-train staff are trained in cycle capacity procedures, and how to provide additional ad-hoc spaces where there is demand, without compromising passenger safety.

Investment in cycle parking facilities has been made at all seven stations on the borders route to reduce demand for taking bikes on trains.

The responsibility of individual registered workers to pay their registration fees has been in place since registration first started in 2003 and we have no plans to change this. Scottish Government does however contribute towards meeting the costs involved in the registration, regulation and development of the social services workforce through grant in aid provided to the Scottish Social Services Council.

It is the responsibility of individual registered workers to pay their registration fees and of their employers to support them to develop the skills needed for their roles. The Scottish Government is providing resource to enable delivery of the living wage commitment which will directly support care workers for adults in care at home and housing support settings.

We are committed to working with Heads of Planning Scotland to identify the scope for significantly extending permitted development rights, and to consider where such changes can most effectively be targeted. We will bring forward our detailed proposals for consultation in due course.

The specification in the ScotRail Franchise agreement is for a minimum of two bookable spaces per train. There are currently six bookable spaces on the West Highland Line. Transport Scotland and ScotRail are aware that bookable cycle spaces will reduce on the West Highland Line services, and are working to understand the changes to on-train cycle capacity on the West Highland Line planned from December 2018, and how to deliver solutions which will balance the needs of all passengers who wish to travel on the route in conjunction with Sustrans and other relevant stakeholder groups.