Chamber and committees

Each authority's grant for 2001-02 was calculated using the existing client group based distribution formula adjusted to reflect a number of distribution reviews completed this year. A minimum grant increase (or "floor") of 5% was put in place. For 2002-03 and 2003-04, the formula was updated using projections of population changes in key client groups. Floors of 4% in 2002-03, and 3.4% in 2003-04, were applied.

The increases in grant support announced recently significantly exceed the predicted rate of inflation. It is for local authorities to manage their finances to take account of inflation and other factors just as other public bodies, and the Scottish Executive itself, has to do.

The Deputy First Minister has set up a working group to make recommendations about how a "Community Legal Service" might be established in Scotland. The group is broadly based and will report to him in October 2001.

The introduction of family friendly policies is expected to improve morale and show that NHS Scotland cares about its staff. It sends the message that NHS Scotland is serious about recruiting new staff and retaining its staff by offering them the ability to work the hours they want to combine work with family commitments.

The total grant figures announced take account of a wide range of factors impacting on local government costs, including the predicted rate of inflation. There is an element included to fund additional expenditure on education, including the recommendations of the McCrone Committee, but this will be reviewed once the final McCrone package is agreed.

The allocations to Glasgow City Council announced on the 7 December include provision for Level Playing Field Support for Schools of over £44 million. Glasgow City Council's single capital allocation will rise to almost £40 million (a 38% increase) over the next three years. The Single Allocation covers roads and transport, education, social work, private housing and general services (including coast protection and flood prevention). It is for Glasgow City Council to decide how its single allocation is spent.

Under the Flood Prevention (Scotland) Act 1961 grants, at a rate of 50%, are available to all councils for the construction of confirmed flood prevention schemes which meet specified cost-benefit criteria. It is a matter for the councils concerned whether to take forward flood prevention schemes for the White Cart.

Comparisons of the population update and block and formula methods of grant distribution for 2002-03 and 2003-04 suggested that Glasgow City Council would gain around £3.9 million more over the three-year period 2001-04 from the block and formula method than the population update method. The incorporation of a "floor", or guaranteed minimum grant increase, gives the council an additional £16 million over the block and formula method. It is the difference between these two figures that constituted the additional £12 million that was referred to in the statement of 7 December 2000.

The Minister acknowledged the burdens and pressures on local government. But none of these burdens are hidden.

The length and content of vocational training for general practitioners is a matter for the Joint Committee on Postgraduate Training for General Practice (JCPTGP), which is a reserved body with a UK wide remit.