- Asked by: Daniel Johnson, MSP for Edinburgh Southern, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 03 November 2016
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Current Status:
Answered by Mark McDonald on 16 November 2016
To ask the Scottish Government what the average annual cost of childcare has been for parents and carers in each of the last five years, and how it calculates this.
Answer
Scottish Government does not collect data on annual costs of childcare on a regular basis and has not calculated the average annual cost to parents of childcare.
- Asked by: Daniel Johnson, MSP for Edinburgh Southern, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 03 November 2016
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Current Status:
Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 16 November 2016
To ask the Scottish Government how many students from poor backgrounds were eligible for the additional £125 payment in 2015-16; how many claimed it, broken down by (a) income and (b) Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) quintile, and what plans it has to incorporate similar payments in the future through bursaries or grants, rather than on an ad-hoc basis.
Answer
A total of 37,820 students received the additional £125 bursary in 2015-16. The bursary was payable to eligible students who were already in receipt of a bursary and were from a household with an income below £24,000. 30,930 students who received the bursary were from households with an annual income below £16,999.
The £125 additional bursary was embedded in the student support rates for 2016-17 which means all eligible students will receive this additional payment going forward.
The following table shows the students who received the additional bursary in 2015-16 by Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) 2012.
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SIMD 2012
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BURSARY RECIPIENTS
|
|
1 - 20% most deprived
|
10,520
|
|
2
|
8,560
|
|
3
|
7,430
|
|
4
|
6,205
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|
5 - 20% least deprived
|
4,790
|
|
TOTAL
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37,820
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Source: Student Awards Agency Scotland
Note: SIMD 2012 identifies small area concentrations of multiple deprivation across all of Scotland in a consistent way. The SIMD ranks small areas (called datazones) from most deprived (ranked 1) to least deprived (ranked 6,505). Analysis here is based on quintiles which split the ranks in to five equal sized groups, such as the 20% most deprived areas in Scotland.
- Asked by: Daniel Johnson, MSP for Edinburgh Southern, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 03 November 2016
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Current Status:
Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 16 November 2016
To ask the Scottish Government how many students (a) began and (b) completed an undergraduate degree in primary school teaching in each of the last five years, broken down by university.
Answer
The number of a) entrants and b) qualifiers to first-degree primary education courses at Scottish Higher Education Institutions is included in the following tables:
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Entrants in degree-level Primary Education courses in Scottish HEIs by institution
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2010-2011
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2011-2012
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2012-2013
|
2013-2014
|
2014-2015
|
|
All
|
760
|
775
|
745
|
795
|
750
|
|
University of Aberdeen
|
155
|
150
|
110
|
110
|
110
|
|
University of Dundee
|
65
|
70
|
70
|
70
|
70
|
|
University of Edinburgh
|
130
|
120
|
120
|
120
|
115
|
|
University of Glasgow
|
150
|
165
|
155
|
220
|
180
|
|
University of Stirling
|
30
|
45
|
50
|
45
|
45
|
|
University of Strathclyde
|
150
|
155
|
165
|
155
|
150
|
|
University of the West of Scotland
|
85
|
75
|
80
|
90
|
75
|
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Qualifiers in degree-level Primary Education courses in Scottish HEIs by institution
|
|
|
2010-2011
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2011-2012
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2012-2013
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2013-2014
|
2014-2015
|
|
All
|
615
|
705
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785
|
655
|
675
|
|
University of Aberdeen
|
80
|
110
|
115
|
115
|
125
|
|
University of Dundee
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60
|
75
|
70
|
65
|
70
|
|
University of Edinburgh
|
115
|
155
|
150
|
120
|
115
|
|
University of Glasgow
|
150
|
125
|
170
|
150
|
165
|
|
University of Stirling
|
0
|
15
|
45
|
35
|
40
|
|
University of Strathclyde
|
145
|
150
|
165
|
115
|
105
|
|
University of the West of Scotland
|
60
|
70
|
75
|
50
|
60
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Source: Higher Education Statistics Authority (HESA)
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|
|
|
|
Numbers have been rounded to the nearest multiple of 5. Values of 0,1,2 are all rounded to zero.
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Totals may not add up due to rounding.
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|
|
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Figures are not weighted for Full-Person-Equivalent (FPE) - that is, individuals studying combined degrees of which a Primary education course is only a part of, are counted equally to those studying a Primary education course only.
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Primary Education courses are defined in HESA data as those assigned JACS 3.0 code 'X120 - Training teachers - primary'.
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- Asked by: Daniel Johnson, MSP for Edinburgh Southern, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 03 November 2016
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Current Status:
Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 16 November 2016
To ask the Scottish Government what the total accumulated level of higher education-student debt has been in each of the last five years.
Answer
Information on student loan debt is held and published by the Student Loans Company (SLC).
http://www.slc.co.uk/official-statistics/student-loans-debt-and-repayment/scotland.aspx
The latest publication, covering financial year 2015-16, showed that the total balance outstanding (including loans not yet due for repayment) was £4.0 billion.
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Total loan balance at the end of financial years 2011-12 to 2015-16
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|
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Outstanding Student Loans Debt (£ billions)
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|
|
2011-12
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2012-13
|
2013-14
|
2014-15
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2015-16
|
|
Scotland
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2.6
|
2.7
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3.1
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3.5
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4.0
|
Source: Student Loans Company
- Asked by: Daniel Johnson, MSP for Edinburgh Southern, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 03 November 2016
-
Current Status:
Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 16 November 2016
To ask the Scottish Government how many people claimed (a) the maximum and (b) below the maximum level of higher education student (i) bursary and (ii) loan in each of the last five years, also broken down by how many claims were approved, and what information it has regarding how many eligible people did not claim.
Answer
The following table shows the number of students, who received the maximum amount of bursary in the last five academic years, and the number who received less than the maximum.
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Number of Students Receiving Bursary
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|
|
|
|
|
|
2011-12
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2012-13
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2013-14
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2014-15
|
2015-16
|
|
Total
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51,275
|
50,055
|
50,465
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49,230
|
46,560
|
|
Maximum
|
32,470
|
32,065
|
30,550
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30,180
|
29,020
|
|
Less than maximum
|
18,805
|
17,990
|
19,915
|
19,050
|
17,540
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The following table shows the number of students that were assessed by Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) for the maximum loan available and those that were assessed for an amount less than the maximum.
This information is only available for the last three academic years. Analysis for 2011-12 and 2012-13 is not available because there were a large number of fluctuations on the maximum loan available, with amounts being based on the actual term dates for each course.
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Number of Students Receiving Loan
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|
|
|
|
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2013-14
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2014-15
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2015-16
|
|
Total
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85,655
|
88,985
|
92,005
|
|
Maximum
|
37,405
|
37,230
|
35,690
|
|
Less than maximum
|
48,250
|
51,755
|
56,315
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Source: SAAS
Note: Analysis is based on those receiving the exact maximum amounts – there may be some who initially would have been entitled to the maximum, though what they actually received may have been adjusted to account for issues such as overpayments from previous sessions being recovered. Loans are based on what SAAS authorised, what the student actually took out through the Student Loans Company (SLC) may be different. The analysis does not cover those who “claimed”, only those who received support. We do not hold information on those who “claimed” a loan but did not receive one.
Information on the number of eligible students who did not apply for a loan or bursary is not available.
- Asked by: Daniel Johnson, MSP for Edinburgh Southern, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 03 November 2016
-
Current Status:
Answered by Mark McDonald on 16 November 2016
To ask the Scottish Government further to the publication, A Blueprint for 2020: the Expansion of Early Learning and Childcare in Scotland, how the estimated average saving of £2,000 per child was calculated; when it will be fully delivered, and whether it will publish regular updates on progress with this.
Answer
It is estimated that by almost doubling the number of free hours of Early Learning and Childcare entitlement from current levels (600 hours) to 1140 hours by 2020 will result in an average saving of £2,000 per child.
This has been calculated as the additional number of funded hours multiplied by the hourly price of early learning and childcare using the latest figures estimated by the Family and Childcare Trust for privately purchasing early learning and childcare for children over age 2 (estimated to be £4.16 per hour).
The Scottish Government will provide updates on progress toward delivery of 1,140 hours.
- Asked by: Daniel Johnson, MSP for Edinburgh Southern, Scottish Labour
-
Date lodged: Thursday, 03 November 2016
-
Current Status:
Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 16 November 2016
To ask the Scottish Government further to the publication of Higher Education Student Support in Scotland 2015-16, what the reason is for the reduction in the number of bursary recipients (a) since 2014-15 and (b) over the longer term.
Answer
The publication does not identify a reason for the reduction in the number of students accessing bursaries. However, the Scottish Government will investigate this further, in consultation with stakeholders, as part of the recently announced review of student support.
The Scottish Government is committed to doing more to ensure support is equitable and fair for all students, particularly the most vulnerable, which is why we have announced a comprehensive review of student support with an independent chair. The review will examine a range of issues including the current split between bursaries and loans.
- Asked by: Daniel Johnson, MSP for Edinburgh Southern, Scottish Labour
-
Date lodged: Thursday, 03 November 2016
-
Current Status:
Answered by Mark McDonald on 16 November 2016
To ask the Scottish Government how many students (a) began and (b) completed a Childhood Practice (BA) degree in each of the last five years, broken down by institution.
Answer
ADMISSIONS
Institution
2010-11
2011-12
2012-13
2013-14
2014-15
Total
Aberdeen University
15
28
25
19
47
134
Ayrshire College
10
10
Dundee University
82
56
39
35
67
279
Edinburgh College
24
0
48
72
Edinburgh University
24
24
24
24
25
121
Experiential Play
4
4
Glasgow Clyde College
20
14
12
46
Glasgow University
56
60
88
97
131
432
Hamilton School
0
0
12
12
North East Scotland College
8
8
Stirling Council
14
15
35
64
Strathclyde University
46
24
33
33
33
169
University of the Highlands & Islands
18
29
43
140
140
370
University of the West of Scotland (UWS)
61
26
26
30
5
148
West Lothian College
14
3
17
TOTAL
302
247
362
424
551
1886
COMPLETIONS
Institution
2010-11
2011-12
2012-13
2013-14
2014-15
Total
Aberdeen University
23
2
6
15
16
62
Ayrshire College
13
13
Dundee University
17
57
39
51
32
196
Edinburgh College
20
23
43
Edinburgh University
18
19
20
20
20
97
Experiential Play
4
4
Glasgow Clyde College
18
18
Glasgow University
63
48
31
46
121
309
Hamilton School
0
North East Scotland College
0
Stirling Council
12
12
Strathclyde University
44
84
40
37
205
University of the Highlands & Islands
36
55
91
University of the West of Scotland (UWS)
45
70
9
9
15
148
West Lothian College
9
9
TOTAL
210
280
154
283
280
1207
- Asked by: Daniel Johnson, MSP for Edinburgh Southern, Scottish Labour
-
Date lodged: Wednesday, 02 November 2016
-
Current Status:
Answered by Mark McDonald on 16 November 2016
To ask the Scottish Government further to the publication, A Blueprint for 2020: the Expansion of Early Learning and Childcare in Scotland, (a) where and (b) when each delivery model trial will (i) take place and (ii) conclude; how much funding will be provided; what the focus of each trial will be, and which early learning and childcare settings will be involved.
Answer
On 15 November I set out details for three delivery trials to be progressed from January 2017, located in Aberdeen, Edinburgh and the Scottish Borders. A news release which provides further details on the individual trials can be found at: http://news.gov.scot/news/making-free-childcare-more-flexible
We will make a further announcement on the Programme of trials in December.
- Asked by: Daniel Johnson, MSP for Edinburgh Southern, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 01 November 2016
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Current Status:
Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 15 November 2016
To ask the Scottish Government further to the report, Higher Education Student Support in Scotland 2015-16, whether replacing grants with loans for higher education students since 2012-13 was carried out with "the aim of protecting free tuition”.
Answer
No. The recently published Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) statistical publication contained an inaccurate statement. We apologise for this inaccuracy and will revise the relevant entry in the report.
The reason for introducing a simplified higher education student support package in academic year 2013-14 was to increase the amount of support available to students and deliver a minimum income guarantee of £7,250 per year for students from the poorest households. We worked with stakeholders, including NUS Scotland, to achieve this, putting more money in the pockets of students to support their living costs during their period of free higher education study. The introduction of the new support package was welcomed at the time by these stakeholders.
The Scottish Government has not replaced grants with loans. Eligible students remain entitled to apply for a mixture of both. This is in contrast to the UK Government, which abolished maintenance grants entirely for new students in England from academic year 2016-17. The Scottish Government increased the maximum bursary for the poorest household to £1,875 last year and, effective from the current academic year, increased the household income threshold for award of the maximum bursary (£1,875) from £17,000 to £19,000.
