Chamber and committees

As outlined in my statement to Parliament on 16 June 2011, I will set out a wider package of reforms on post-16 education later this year. Any changes to widening access initiatives would be brought forward next year as part of this process.

The timetable for introduction of the next generation digital fund, which is part of the Scottish Futures Fund, is a matter for the Spending Review, which will report this autumn.

In addition to the comprehensive support already available through the discretionary fund system, principals in the higher education sector are considering what further support might be offered such as bursaries and scholarships. The issue will also be considered during the legislative process which I announced in June 2011.

Universities Scotland has confirmed that higher education institutions are considering proposals for further support, such as bursaries and scholarships, that could be offered to help students from the rest of the UK.

Scotland’s Digital Future: A Strategy For Scotland, published on 3 March 2011, sets out the Scottish Government’s commitment to ensuring that Scotland is at the forefront of the digital economy. Our ambition is to ensure that the rate of broadband uptake in Scotland is at or above the UK average by 2013.

The strategy also sets out our commitment of ensuring the availability of next generation broadband to all by 2020, with significant progress being made by 2015. This will ensure the rollout of next generation broadband to all rural communities, allowing them to participate fully in the digital economy.

To achieve this, we are working to ensure that education in all its forms takes account of the aims of the strategy, exploring options to make cheaper computing equipment available, and establishing a project team to plan an awareness-raising campaign on the benefits of digital technology. We are working with stakeholders across communities to ensure that no one is left out of the digital economy.

Our work also includes ensuring that businesses have the correct skills and training to take advantage of the opportunities that digital technologies bring and to ensure that we provide the right support environment to allow companies developing digital technologies to grow and flourish. We are working with the enterprise agencies and other stakeholders to develop a plan to take this forward.

The warm homes fund will deliver renewable energy and energy-efficient homes in those communities worse affected by fuel poverty. We expect to publish more details on the fund following the Spending Review. We will explore any opportunities to maximise the impact of the Fund that the Green Deal may offer.

Plans for the next generation digital fund, which is part of the Scottish Futures Fund, are a matter for the Spending Review, which will report this autumn.

Plans for the next generation digital fund, which is part of the Scottish Futures Fund, are a matter for the Spending Review, which will report this autumn. The allocation of the fund will be considered by the Scottish Government after this time.

The Scottish Government will publish a consultation on the recast of Directive 2010/31/EU on The Energy Performance of Buildings, later this year. The possibility of amending the Energy Performance Certificate will form part of this consultation.

We are committed to increasing broadband take-up in Scotland, Scotland’s Digital Future: A Strategy for Scotland,

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2011/03/04162416/0.

Actions we are undertaking include: exploring options for making cheaper computer equipment available; working with learning providers to ensure that child and adult learning takes full account of the need for digital awareness and education, and considering an awareness raising campaign on the benefits of digital technology.