Questions and answers

Question reference: S5W-32028

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 24 September 2020
Current Status: Answered by Jamie Hepburn on 5 October 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what new employment support programmes have been created to response to the COVID-19 pandemic, broken down by the (a) group that the programme targets, (b) budget for the programme and (c) anticipated number of participants.

Question reference: S5W-31914

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 21 September 2020
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 2 October 2020

To ask the Scottish Government how equality and non-discrimination have informed preparatory work on the Scottish National Investment Bank’s lending and investment criteria ahead of its launch.

The Bank’s investment policies will take account of its legal obligations as a lender and investor, will be aligned with its investment strategy, and will incorporate the ethical investment standards that it is required to produce. Those standards will align with the Bank's objects and its strategic missions. In particular, we are establishing the Bank with an object of advancing equality and non-discrimination, and have consulted on a draft mission for the Bank focussed on investing in places and regeneration to reduce inequality, and improving opportunities and outcomes for people and communities.

Question reference: S5W-32030

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 24 September 2020
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 2 October 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what the estimated level of (a) unemployment and (b) youth unemployment will be by the end of the current financial year.

Forecasts of unemployment for Scotland are produced by the Scottish Fiscal Commission, who are Scotland’s official forecaster. Their last published forecast, from February 2020, was prior to the full impact of COVID-19 becoming known and consequently did not fully factor in the recent health and economic crisis. They are due to publish their next set of forecasts alongside the next Scottish Budget, expected in December.

In the interim, the Scottish Government has published several pieces of scenario analysis on the medium term outlook of the Scottish economy and labour market.

The latest analysis was published in the Chief Economist’s State of the Economy report on 29 September 2020. This highlighted that unemployment could reach 8.2% by the end of this financial year.

There are currently no official projections of youth unemployment produced by Scottish Government or external stakeholders. However, historically at times of recession, youth unemployment has risen to over double the overall rate. So we might expect a youth unemployment rate of 20% or more later this year and into 2021 Q1.

Question reference: S5W-32027

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 24 September 2020
Current Status: Answered by Jamie Hepburn on 2 October 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what the level of unemployment has been in each year since 2007, broken down by (a) gender, (b) disability status, (c) BAME identification and (d) the 16 to 24-year-old age group.

Table A provides the estimated unemployment levels and rates by gender, for May - July 2007 to May – July 2020, sourced from the Labour Force Survey:

Table A: Unemployment Level and Rate by Gender, May-July 2007 to

May-July 2020, Scotland

	All		Women		Male
	Level	Rate ‎ (per cent)	Level	Rate ‎ (per cent)	Level	Rate ‎ (per cent)
May - July 2007	130,400	4.9	59,800	4.7	70,600	5.0
May - July 2008	111,300	4.2	53,000	4.2	58,300	4.2
May - July 2009	187,400	7.0	74,300	5.9	113,000	8.0
May - July 2010	237,400	8.8	100,500	7.7	137,000	9.8
May - July 2011	205,500	7.6	85,500	6.6	120,100	8.5
May - July 2012	225,900	8.3	94,900	7.4	131,000	9.2
May - July 2013	209,300	7.6	99,900	7.5	109,400	7.7
May - July 2014	171,800	6.2	70,500	5.3	101,300	7.1
May - July 2015	170,400	6.1	77,800	5.7	92,600	6.5
May - July 2016	134,700	4.9	56,100	4.2	78,600	5.5
May - July 2017	108,700	3.9	47,500	3.5	61,100	4.2
May - July 2018	113,300	4.1	47,700	3.6	65,500	4.6
May - July 2019	109,900	4.0	47,700	3.5	62,100	4.3
May - July 2020	128,400	4.6	56,600	4.2	71,800	5.1

Source: Labour Force Survey, May-Jul datasets (seasonally adjusted), ONS

Notes :

1. Unemployment levels and rates cover those aged 16 and over.

2. Levels rounded to nearest hundred, rates rounded to one decimal place.

3. Rates are calculated on unrounded figures. Rate is based on unemployment level(16+ years) divided by economically active (16+ years).

4. Unemployment is based on International Labour Organisation Definitions

5. This information is also published at:

Table B provides the estimated unemployment levels and rates by disability, for July 2006 – June 2007 to July 2019 – June 2020, sourced from the Annual Population Survey:

Table B: Unemployment Level and Rate by disability, July 2006 – June 2007 to July 2019 – June 2020, Scotland

	Equality Act Disabled		Not Equality Act Disabled
	Level	Rate ‎ (per cent)	Level	Rate ‎ (per cent)
July 2006 - June 2007	24,600	7.4	105,000	4.6
July 2007 - June 2008	26,300	7.9	91,400	4.0
July 2008 - June 2009	29,300	8.9	127,500	5.6
July 2009 - June 2010 ‡	43,000	11.1	156,300	7.0
July 2010 - June 2011	44,200	11.0	163,700	7.3
July 2011 - June 2012 T	48,800	11.9	167,100	7.5
July 2012 - June 2013**
July 2013 - June 2014	45,600	15.3	145,000	6.2
July 2014 - June 2015	37,100	13.1	120,900	5.1
July 2015 - June 2016	34,900	11.3	109,200	4.7
July 2016 - June 2017	32,900	10.3	87,700	3.8
July 2017 - June 2018	34,400	10.3	76,400	3.3
July 2018 - June 2019	32,900	9.3	76,800	3.3
July 2019 - June 2020	27,100	7.4	61,000	2.7

Source : Annual Population Survey, July - June datasets, ONS

Notes:

1. Unemployment levels and rates cover those aged 16 to 64.

2. Levels rounded to nearest hundred, rates rounded to one decimal place.

3. Rates are calculated on unrounded figures. Rate is based on unemployment level(16-64 years) divided by economically active (16-64 years).

‡ - In January-March 2010 there was a change in the reporting behaviour of survey respondents, mainly reflecting a change in the wording of the survey questionnaire, which is believed to result in more accurate estimates. Consequently data pre and post Jan-Mar 2010 are not directly comparable.

T - In January-March 2012 there was a change in the way those who did not respond to the question on disability were recorded, with those who did not respond no longer being automatically coded "not disabled".

** - In Apr-Jun 2013 there were significant changes to the questions relating to disability and long-term limiting health conditions. This has led to a discontinuity in the series and no data is currently available for Jul 2012 - Jun 2013 due to the change mid-year .

4. Information on employment levels and rates by disability are published at:

Table C provides the estimated unemployment levels and rates by ethnicity, for July 2006 – June 2007 to July 2019 – June 2020, sourced from the Annual Population Survey:

Table C: Unemployment Level and Rate by ethnicity, July 2006 – June 2007 to July 2019 – June 2020, Scotland

	Minority Ethnic		White
	Level	Rate ‎ (per cent)	Level	Rate ‎ (per cent)
July 2006 - June 2007	4,900	7.5	125,800	4.9
July 2007 - June 2008	5,500	8.5	112,900	4.3
July 2008 - June 2009	5,300	7.6	152,700	5.9
July 2009 - June 2010	6,600	8.5	193,700	7.5
July 2010 - June 2011	8,800	11.0	200,800	7.7
July 2011 - June 2012	11,600	12.8	206,000	7.9
July 2012 - June 2013	10,200	12.1	200,700	7.7
July 2013 - June 2014	9,400	11.0	184,300	7.0
July 2014 - June 2015	10,900	11.3	150,300	5.7
July 2015 - June 2016	9,600	8.3	136,100	5.2
July 2016 - June 2017	7,000	6.4	116,100	4.4
July 2017 - June 2018	11,500	10.6	101,300	3.8
July 2018 - June 2019	9,100	8.1	103,600	3.9
July 2019 - June 2020	8900*	6.7*	81,300	3.1

Source: Annual Population Survey, July - June datasets, ONS

Notes:

1. Unemployment levels and rates cover those aged 16 and over.

2. Levels rounded to nearest hundred, rates rounded to one decimal place.

3. Rates are calculated on unrounded figures. Rate is based on unemployment level(16+ years) divided by economically active (16+ years).

‡ - “Minority ethnic” includes all categories outside of the white population. “White” includes “White-Polish” and “White Gypsy” who also suffer disadvantage.

* - estimates are based on a small sample size. This may result in a less precise estimates, which should be used with caution.

** - There is a discontinuity in the series from 2011:

Due to changes in the ethnicity questions on the Annual Population Survey during 2011 these estimates should not be used as a time series. They can, however, be used to estimate the relative levels of economic activity of the different ethnic groupings.

4. Information on employment levels and rates by ethnicity are published at:

Table D provides the estimated unemployment levels and rates for those aged 16 to 24, for July 2006 – June 2007 to July 2019 – June 2020, sourced from the Annual Population Survey:

Table D: Unemployment Level and Rate for those aged 16 to 24, July 2006 – June 2007 to July 2019 – June 2020, Scotland

	16 to 24 year olds
	Level	Rate ‎ (per cent)
July 2006 - June 2007	55,300	12.8
July 2007 - June 2008	52,600	12.3
July 2008 - June 2009	61,700	14.5
July 2009 - June 2010	75,200	18.1
July 2010 - June 2011	84,100	19.6
July 2011 - June 2012	91,300	21.5
July 2012 - June 2013	84,300	20.3
July 2013 - June 2014	79,000	19.7
July 2014 - June 2015	61,000	15.3
July 2015 - June 2016	54,900	13.9
July 2016 - June 2017	38,600	10.1
July 2017 - June 2018	33,600	8.9
July 2018 - June 2019	36,500	9.8
July 2019 - June 2020	31,900	9.6

Source: Annual Population Survey, July - June datasets, ONS

Notes:

1. Unemployment levels and rates cover those aged 16 to 24.

2. Levels rounded to nearest hundred, rates rounded to one decimal place.

3. Rates are calculated on unrounded figures.

4. This information is also published at: .

Question reference: S5W-31957

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 22 September 2020
Current Status: Answered by Kate Forbes on 2 October 2020

To ask the Scottish Government further to the answer to S5W-31236 by Kate Forbes on 26 August 2020, whether the accountable officers in each agency outside the Scottish Government Main (SGM) arrangements are (a) issued with guidance regarding appropriate pay and grading arrangements, (b) given any pay remit specific to their organisation regarding establishment numbers and pay levels, (c) required to notify or seek the approval of their sponsor department of any proposed pay and grading arrangements and (d) required to have regard to any guidance offered and provide justification for arrangements that depart from the guidance.

In response to each of your points regarding Accountable Officers in agencies outside the Scottish Government Main arrangements:

(a) All Accountable Officers are issued with a designation letter from the Permanent Secretary to the Scottish Government that specifically points to the accountability guidance within the Scottish Public Finance Manual, to which they must adhere. Accountable Officers are personally answerable to the Parliament for the exercise of their functions in accordance with section 15 of the Public Finance and Accountability (Scotland) Act 2000 and for the propriety and regularity of their use of resources. Regularity involves compliance with relevant legislation (including the annual Budget Act) and relevant guidance issued by the Scottish Ministers - in particular the Scottish Public Finance Manual. Accountable Officers are also issued with supporting guidance relating to the Public Sector Pay Policy publication.

(b) The Accountable Officers within each agency being established have separate delegated authority to negotiate staff terms and conditions, including pay and staffing structures, subject to their organisational resources and to Public Sector Pay Policy. To ensure any proposed changes to staff pay align with Public Sector Pay Policy, each agency is required to submit pay remit proposals for approval by the Scottish Government before entering into any trade union negotiations.

(c) Any proposed changes to pay and grading structures require consultation with, and approval from, the Scottish Government. The Public Sector Pay Policy Technical Guide sets out what should be taken into account when a public body, including agencies outside of Scottish Government Main arrangements, is proposing any such changes.

(d) All agencies are expected to adhere to guidance issued. It is the responsibility of the Accountable Officer to justify any departure from the guidance to the Scottish Government.

Question reference: S5W-32006

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 23 September 2020
Current Status: Answered by Kate Forbes on 2 October 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what (a) representations it has received on and (b) assessment it has made of the impact on the Scottish retail and tourism sectors of the UK Government's decision to withdraw tax-free shopping from the start of 2021.

This change was announced suddenly by the UK Government and, despite the obvious and substantial implications for the Scottish retail and tourism sectors, without prior engagement with Scottish Government officials. Accordingly, we have had no opportunity to carry out analysis of our own and none has been shared by the UK Government.

Since this announcement, the Scottish Government has received representations from a number of stakeholder organisations expressing concerns about the impact on trade and the wider economy. We share their concerns and do not believe that this is an appropriate juncture at which to make such an abrupt and significant change.

Question reference: S5W-31599

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 04 September 2020
Current Status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 1 October 2020

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-31447 by Jeane Freeman on 3 September 2020, what steps it is taking to provide permanent COVID-19 testing facilities in the Dumbarton constituency.

Question reference: S5W-31947

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 22 September 2020
Current Status: Answered by Roseanna Cunningham on 1 October 2020

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-30017 by Roseanna Cunningham on 2 July 2020, whether it expects Scottish Water to draw down all of the borrowing available to it in 2020-21.

Question reference: S5W-31949

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 22 September 2020
Current Status: Answered by Roseanna Cunningham on 1 October 2020

To ask the Scottish Government whether any licenced provider of water has ceased trading since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Question reference: S5W-31950

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 22 September 2020
Current Status: Answered by Roseanna Cunningham on 1 October 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding the levels of debt that are being borne by licenced providers of water, and how much this has risen because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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