To ask the Scottish Government when it last met representatives of the UK Government.


Answered by Nicola Sturgeon (12/09/2013): Ministers and officials meet regularly with representatives from the UK Government to discuss matters of importance to the people of Scotland.

Question S4O-01572: Gil Paterson, Clydebank and Milngavie, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 28/11/2012

To ask the Scottish Government what the outstanding financial liability for all local authorities is of PPP/PFI contracts.

Answered by John Swinney (05/12/2012):
The total contracted unitary charge payments in respect of all ongoing local authority PPP/PFI projects from 2013-14 onwards is estimated to be £13.4 billion.

Question S4O-01515: Gil Paterson, Clydebank and Milngavie, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 14/11/2012

To ask the Scottish Government when it last met the UK Government to discuss the impact of proposed welfare reforms in Scotland.

Answered by Nicola Sturgeon (21/11/2012): < >The Minister for Housing and Welfare had an introductory meeting with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on 19 September 2012. Scottish Ministers continue to have ongoing dialogue and correspondence with the UK Government on a wide range of issues relating to the UK Government’s welfare reforms and the impact of these reforms on people and services in Scotland. Scottish Government officials also continue to meet regularly with their UK counterparts to discuss a wide range of welfare matters.

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will report on the recent activities of the Joint Ministerial Committee.


Answered by Nicola Sturgeon (03/10/2012):On 19 September 2012, the First Minister and I attended a meeting of the Joint Ministerial Committee (Plenary) (JMC(P))in London. The JMC(P) was also attended by the UK Government, the Welsh Government and the Northern Ireland Executive. It was chaired by the Prime Minister. We discussed the current economic situation and the UK Government’s draft aviation policy.

We also agreed revisions to the Memorandum of Understanding between the UK Government and the Devolved Administrations.

I am placing a copy of the 2011-12 annual report agreed by the Joint Ministerial Committee in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 54343).

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-28850 by John Swinney on 17 February 2010, what the latest position is on the waiving of non-consolidated performance payments (bonuses) by chief executives of non-departmental public bodies and public corporations covered by the Scottish Government’s Public Sector Pay Policy in 2010-11 and 2009-10.
Answered by John Swinney (29/10/2010): 37 chief executives are covered by the Scottish Government''s Public Sector Pay Policy for Senior Appointments in 2010-11. Of these, 12 chief executives are not eligible to be considered for a non‘consolidated performance payment this pay year. Remuneration proposals in respect of a further 12 have either yet to be submitted or have yet to be approved. Of those with a non‘consolidated performance payment arrangement in their contract who have had their 2010-11 remuneration proposals approved, all have either waived their right to be considered for such a payment or have waived their bonus in whole or in part.

36 chief executives are covered by the pay policy in 2009-10. Of these, 10 chief executives were not eligible to be considered for a non‘consolidated performance payment in that pay year. Remuneration proposals in respect of a further three have yet to be considered by the Scottish Government. Of the remaining 23 chief executives with a non‘consolidated performance payment arrangement in their contract whose 2009-10 remuneration proposals have been approved so far, nine have now indicated they are waiving all or part of any non‘consolidated performance payment awarded to them in 2009-10.

In waiving some or all of their non‘consolidated performance payment, chief executives of non-departmental public bodies and public corporations are showing leadership by setting an example of restraint in a tough fiscal environment. I welcome this and thank them for taking that initiative.

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-28850 by John Swinney on 17 February 2010, what the latest position is on the waiving of non-consolidated performance payments (bonuses) by chief executives of non-departmental public bodies and public corporations covered by the Scottish Government’s Public Sector Pay Policy in 2010-11 and 2009-10.

Answered by John Swinney (29/10/2010): 37 chief executives are covered by the Scottish Government''s Public Sector Pay Policy for Senior Appointments in 2010-11. Of these, 12 chief executives are not eligible to be considered for a non‘consolidated performance payment this pay year. Remuneration proposals in respect of a further 12 have either yet to be submitted or have yet to be approved. Of those with a non‘consolidated performance payment arrangement in their contract who have had their 2010-11 remuneration proposals approved, all have either waived their right to be considered for such a payment or have waived their bonus in whole or in part.

36 chief executives are covered by the pay policy in 2009-10. Of these, 10 chief executives were not eligible to be considered for a non‘consolidated performance payment in that pay year. Remuneration proposals in respect of a further three have yet to be considered by the Scottish Government. Of the remaining 23 chief executives with a non‘consolidated performance payment arrangement in their contract whose 2009-10 remuneration proposals have been approved so far, nine have now indicated they are waiving all or part of any non‘consolidated performance payment awarded to them in 2009-10.

In waiving some or all of their non‘consolidated performance payment, chief executives of non-departmental public bodies and public corporations are showing leadership by setting an example of restraint in a tough fiscal environment. I welcome this and thank them for taking that initiative.

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide the names of the special advisers currently in post; what their responsibilities are; what their pay bands are for 2010-11; how many special advisers are in each pay band, and what the total salary cost of employing special advisers was in 2009-10.

Answered by John Swinney (24/09/2010): There are currently 10 special advisers including one part-time. The Special Advisers and their specific responsibilities are as follows:

The number of salaried special advisers in each pay band from 1 April 2010 is:

The total salary cost for the 10 salaried Special Advisers in post in 2009-2010 including ERNIC and employer pension contributions was £701,627. By comparison the cost of the 12 Special Advisers employed by the previous administration in 
2006-07 was £854,376.

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding proposals to increase national insurance contributions.

Answered by John Swinney (29/04/2010): Besides the impact on Scottish employers in the private sector the increase in national insurance contribution rates will result in approximately £104 million of the Scottish Government''s budget being returned to the Treasury in the form of higher tax payments. Were the money to stay in Scotland it could pay for approximately 2,300 more police officers or 4,000 more nurses each year.

We have made it clear that we disagree with this increase especially when the country is emerging from a long and severe recession. We will continue to protest that this cut should be reversed to avoid further burdens on Scottish employers and protect front line public services in Scotland.

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding proposals to increase national insurance contributions.

Answered by John Swinney (29/04/2010): Besides the impact on Scottish employers in the private sector the increase in national insurance contribution rates will result in approximately £104 million of the Scottish Government''s budget being returned to the Treasury in the form of higher tax payments. Were the money to stay in Scotland it could pay for approximately 2,300 more police officers or 4,000 more nurses each year.

We have made it clear that we disagree with this increase especially when the country is emerging from a long and severe recession. We will continue to protest that this cut should be reversed to avoid further burdens on Scottish employers and protect front line public services in Scotland.

To ask the Scottish Executive what support it gives to (a) proposed and (b) existing community councils.

Answered by John Swinney (22/01/2010): The level of support provided to community councils, including any financial support, is at the discretion of each individual local authority.

However, in partnership with COSLA and the Association of Scottish Community Councils (ASCC), we are continuing to raise the profile and effectiveness of community councils throughout Scotland to enable them to build their capacity and to allow them to engage as key participants in local decision making and delivery.

This includes promoting the adoption of the Model Scheme of Establishment of Community Councils and Code of Conduct for Community Councillors, documents developed by a Scottish Government Community Council Working Group (CCWG). Adoption of these documents is key to the building of capacity as they will help establish a greater consistency of operational arrangements and a culture of accountability.

The Scottish Government is also funding a series of Community Council Pilot Projects. The pilots will focus on budget management, community council elections and potential asset management.