DOCSLIB.ORG

A Stronger Scotland the Government's Programme For

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
A Stronger Scotland the Government's Programme For A STRONGER SCOTLAND THE GOVERNMENT’S PROGRAMME FOR SCOTLAND 2015-16 TheScottishGovernment @ScotGov www.gov.scot A STRONGER SCOTLAND THE GOVERNMENT’S PROGRAMME FOR SCOTLAND 2015-16 The Scottish Government, Edinburgh 2015 A STRONGER SCOTLAND ii THE GOVERNMENT’S PROGRAMME FOR SCOTLAND 2015-16 © Crown copyright 2015 You may re-use this information (excluding logos and images) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ or e-mail: [email protected]. Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned. This document is available from our website at www.gov.scot ISBN: 978-1-78544-598-9 ISBN: 978-1-78544-599-6 (E-pub) ISBN: 978-1-78544-600-9 (Mobi) The Scottish Government St Andrew’s House Edinburgh EH1 3DG Published by the Scottish Government, September 2015 Produced for the Scottish Government by APS Group Scotland, 21 Tennant Street, Edinburgh EH6 5NA PPDAS54803 (09/15) A STRONGER SCOTLAND THE GOVERNMENT’S PROGRAMME 1 FOR SCOTLAND 2015-16 CONTENTS FOREWORD BY THE FIRST MINISTER 2-3 1 INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARY 4-15 2 A STRONGER AND FAIRER SCOTLAND 16-23 3 A STRONG, SUSTAINABLE ECONOMY 24-41 4 PROTECTING AND REFORMING OUR PUBLIC SERVICES 42-65 5 STRENGTHENING OUR COMMUNITIES 66-81 6 THE SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT’S LEGISLATIVE PROGRAMME 82-83 A STRONGER SCOTLAND 2 THE GOVERNMENT’S PROGRAMME FOR SCOTLAND 2015-16 FOREWORD BY THE FIRST MINISTER Rt Hon Nicola Sturgeon MSP First Minister of Scotland A STRONGER SCOTLAND THE GOVERNMENT’S PROGRAMME 3 FOR SCOTLAND 2015-16 The Programme for Government that we are publishing today builds on a strong record of achievement – it sets out actions for the coming year and a clear vision for the coming decade. At its centre is a commitment to introduce And the Programme sets out how we intend an Improvement Framework for schools, to to use the additional powers which are help us drive up attainment in all schools, due to come to the Scottish Parliament. and to close the attainment gap. We aim to We will take the first steps to delivery of a ensure that children in all parts of Scotland new social security system and abolish the – whether in our least or our most affluent bedroom tax as soon as we have the power areas – have a fair chance to flourish. to do so. We will reduce Air Passenger Duty – boosting connectivity and supporting That ambition encapsulates the themes businesses. And we will abolish fees for which run through this document. We want employment tribunals – ensuring that to create a fairer and more prosperous employees have a fair opportunity to have nation, in which opportunities are open their case heard. to everyone and where because of that, everyone is able to contribute their talent, Finally, the Programme for Government skill and commitment. sets out our approach to government. I am committed to leading the most accessible We will make Scotland the best place in the Government this country has ever had and UK to do business – not through a race to I want to ensure that we build on the sense the bottom, but by focusing on innovation, of engagement and enthusiasm that we saw skills and productivity. – from both sides of the debate – during last We will create a fairer country. We will year’s referendum. So we will help people promote a proper living wage, fair work to have a bigger say in the decisions that and use new powers to improve the welfare affect them most. During the next year we system, mitigating some of the worst will consult on legislation to give greater impacts of the UK Government’s cuts. power to our island communities, and invest in our Empowering Communities Fund. And as part of our work to achieve those aims, we will begin the next phase of public Overall, this Programme for Government service reform – for example by making demonstrates how enduring values – a belief our unified police service more responsive in enterprise, a faith in the importance to the needs of local communities, and of education, a commitment to fairness, transforming primary health care. equality and solidarity, and a passion for democratic engagement – are being The Programme also sets out the legislation applied to make Scotland a fairer and more we will introduce over the coming year. prosperous country. It shows how this We will introduce a bill to tackle Abusive Government intends to achieve our vision Behaviour and Sexual Harm. The Burial and for Scotland’s future. Cremation Bill will meet public concerns, and implement the recommendations of Lord Bonomy’s Report on Infant Cremation. The Private Tenancies Bill provides tenants with protection against excessive rent rises, while also giving clear rights and safeguards to Rt Hon Nicola Sturgeon MSP landlords. First Minister of Scotland A STRONGER SCOTLAND 4 THE GOVERNMENT’S PROGRAMME FOR SCOTLAND 2015-16 INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARY 01 A STRONGER SCOTLAND THE GOVERNMENT’S PROGRAMME 5 FOR SCOTLAND 2015-16 This Programme for Government sets out the policies, actions and legislation that we will take forward in 2015-16 to deliver our core purpose of creating a more successful country, with opportunities for all of Scotland to flourish, through sustainable and inclusive economic growth, and to equip Scotland for the challenges of the next decade and beyond. Our record in Government is one of We will continue to use all the powers at improvement across our public services our disposal at any time to deliver the best against the backdrop of reduced public outcomes we can for the people of Scotland. finances. We have undertaken necessary and important, albeit challenging, reforms to Concrete plans are being put in place our public services, from the integration of to use the new powers that will come health and social care, to the introduction of to Scotland in the current Scotland Bill. Curriculum for Excellence in our schools, the We are working to ensure that we bring reshaping of our college sector to make it forward programmes to use these new fit for the needs of a 21st-century economy, powers in ways that respond to the needs and the establishment of the single fire and and expectations of all the people of police services. Scotland’s economy has Scotland. However, while we welcome these emerged strongly from the global recession additional powers they fall short of what the and we now have lower unemployment and country needs and the people of Scotland higher employment than any other demand. We will therefore continue to press UK nation. for a more effective set of powers for the Scottish Parliament and Government. This Programme for Government, although focused on the next Parliamentary year, lays In taking forward all of the activities of the foundations for the next decade and Government we will be guided by three beyond. It begins to set out the next phase underpinning principles: the need to of reform in our public services – the actions deliver greater prosperity for our country; we will take to ensure that our education ensuring that there is fairness in how our system is world class and that we have the nation’s wealth, resources and opportunities evidence to prove it, that we have an NHS are distributed; and making sure that we that is organised to meet the demands of encourage and facilitate participation by changing demographics and ever advancing everyone in the debates and decisions that technology, and a police service that is matter to them most, regardless of their efficient, effective and enjoys the trust circumstances or backgrounds. and consent of local communities the length We have set out our plans in the following and breadth of Scotland. chapters: We also set out the actions we will take • A Stronger and Fairer Scotland to make Scotland the best place in the UK to do business, not by a race to the • A Strong, Sustainable Economy bottom on costs, but with a focus on strong productivity, innovation, fair work and • Protecting and Reforming Our Public internationalisation. And we set out our Services continued focus on inclusive growth, an • Strengthening Our Communities approach that will reduce the inequality that still scars our country. In short, this Programme for Government will build on strong foundations, to build a country fit and ready for the challenges of the future. A STRONGER SCOTLAND 6 THE GOVERNMENT’S PROGRAMME FOR SCOTLAND 2015-16 A STRONGER AND FAIRER New Powers for the Scottish Parliament SCOTLAND The new powers that have been proposed by the UK Government fall short of what We are fortunate to live in a country where was promised to the people of Scotland. We the values of democracy are respected, will continue to demand that those promises where the Scottish Parliament and Scottish are delivered. But at the same time we Government command respect and where are acting with pace and creativity to be the rights of the individual citizen are ready to use the limited powers that are of paramount importance. Successive proposed, and we will do so in consultation generations have built and protected with others. In particular, we will use those those values and now we must ensure that powers to: we enhance that legacy for subsequent generations. We all share that obligation. In • Bring forward a Social Security Bill Government we never forget that we are within the first year of the new accountable to the citizens of Scotland for Parliament to pave the way – as soon all that we do in their name.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Implementing the Scotland Act 2012. an Update
    Implementing the Scotland Act 2012 An update Prepared by Audit Scotland December 2015 Auditor General for Scotland The Auditor General’s role is to: • appoint auditors to Scotland’s central government and NHS bodies • examine how public bodies spend public money • help them to manage their finances to the highest standards • check whether they achieve value for money. The Auditor General is independent and reports to the Scottish Parliament on the performance of: • directorates of the Scottish Government • government agencies, eg the Scottish Prison Service, Historic Scotland • NHS bodies • further education colleges • Scottish Water • NDPBs and others, eg Scottish Police Authority, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. You can find out more about the work of the Auditor General on our website: www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/about/ags Audit Scotland is a statutory body set up in April 2000 under the Public Finance and Accountability (Scotland) Act 2000. We help the Auditor General for Scotland and the Accounts Commission check that organisations spending public money use it properly, efficiently and effectively. Implementing the Scotland Act 2012: An update | 3 Contents Summary 4 Part 1. Devolved taxes 8 Part 2. Scottish rate of income tax 16 Part 3. Financial management and reporting 20 Endnotes 26 Appendix. Audit methodology 27 4 | Summary Key messages 1 Revenue Scotland successfully implemented the two devolved taxes on time. The IT system and people needed to collect and manage the taxes were in place by the time the taxes were introduced. It cost £5.5 million to implement the devolved taxes, £1.2 million more than originally estimated, owing mainly to the need for additional staff in the set-up phase.
    [Show full text]
  • Improving Schools in Scotland: an OECD Perspective
    Improving Schools in Scotland: An OECD Perspective Improving Schools For the past decade, Scotland has been putting in place an ambitious reform called the “Curriculum for Excellence”. Its holistic approach includes Broad General Education from ages 3 to 15 years and this has in Scotland: been put into the spotlight of an OECD review by a team that included leading international experts Andy Hargreaves and Helen Timperley. The report, with twelve key recommendations, will be of interest to those who shape schools and curricula well beyond Scotland. It brings together wide-ranging international and Scottish data to understand how well quality and equity are being achieved in Scotland’s schools. Its analysis An OECD and examples from other countries address how such an ambitious reform can reach its full potential through demanding 21st century approaches to enhancing quality and equity, governance and decision-making, teaching and leadership, and evaluation and assessment. Perspective Contents Overview Chapter 1: Scotland’s “Curriculum for Excellence”: Context and Structure Chapter 2: Quality and Equity in Scottish Schools Chapter 3: Decision-making and Governance for the “Curriculum for Excellence” Chapter 4: Schooling, Teachers and Leadership Chapter 5: Assessment, Evaluation and the “Curriculum for Excellence”. Write to us Policy Advice and Implementation Division Directorate for Education and Skills - OECD 2, rue André Pascal - 75775 Paris Cedex 16 - FRANCE [email protected] Find us at: www.oecd.org/edu/policyadvice.htm Education and Skills data on GPS: www.gpseducation.oecd.org Improving Schools in Scotland: An OECD Perspective This work is published under the responsibility of the Secretary-General of the OECD.
    [Show full text]
  • Scotland Moves Away from the UK in Social Security Policy ESPN Flash Report 2018/72
    Scotland moves away from the UK in social security policy ESPN Flash Report 2018/72 JONATHAN BRADSHAW AND FRAN BENNETT – EUROPEAN SOCIAL POLICY NETWORK DECEMBER 2018 commitment to introducing an “income Since World War II, Description supplement”. the UK social security system has been Since World War II, the core social Secondly, Scotland has a different largely UK-wide. After security system in the UK (both approach to benefits in practice. devolution in 1999, for insurance and assistance) has been Initially, the differences were modest; a time this broadly based on UK-wide legislation and but they have increased considerably remained true. But regulation delivered by central over time. Thus, in Scotland, Scotland is now government civil servants. The benefits prescriptions are now free of charge (as diverging from the were the same throughout the UK – i.e. in Wales and Northern Ireland), Westminster in Great Britain (England, Wales and whereas in England help is only government’s policies Scotland) as well as Northern Ireland. available following a means test (and in three ways: in the Local councils (municipalities) only had for some specific groups on other principles on which the responsibility for delivering (but not grounds). Scotland (and Wales) never social security system regulating) housing benefit and council abolished the means-tested Educational and anti-poverty tax benefit. Even in Northern Ireland, Maintenance Allowance for young policies are based; in which had its own Parliament and civil people staying on at school and has the mitigation of service, the policy was to maintain effectively abolished the “bedroom tax” “welfare reforms” and parity with Great Britain.
    [Show full text]
  • The Open Budget Survey 2019 Results for Scotland's 2017/18 Budget
    The Open Budget Survey 2019 results for Scotland’s 2017/18 Budget 29th April 2020 The Scottish Human Rights Commission was established by the Scottish Commission for Human Rights Act 2006, and formed in 2008. The Commission is the National Human Rights Institution for Scotland and is independent of the Scottish Government and Parliament in the exercise of its functions. The Commission has a general duty to promote human rights and a series of specific powers to protect human rights for everyone in Scotland. www.scottishhumanrights.com This report has been developed based on research undertaken by Kirstie English. Table of Contents 1. Introduction: Scotland and the Open Budget Survey ............................ 3 1.1. Human rights budgeting ................................................................. 3 1.2. Open Budget Survey ...................................................................... 3 1.3. Scotland and the OBI ..................................................................... 4 1.4. Report structure ............................................................................. 5 2. The Open Budget Survey Results for Scotland: Budget Year 2017/18 . 6 2.1. Introduction .................................................................................... 6 2.2. Transparency Score (Open Budget Index) ..................................... 7 2.3. Oversight Score ........................................................................... 13 2.4. Public Engagement Score ...........................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Scotland 2007 a Dry Run for Proportional Voting Dan Tessler July 11, 2007
    International Snapshot: Scotland 2007 A Dry Run for Proportional Voting Dan Tessler July 11, 2007 ABSTRACT On May 3, 2007, Scottish voters used two proportional voting systems simultaneously: for the first time ever, choice voting (or the single transferable vote) for local councils, and once again, mixed member proportional voting for the Scottish Parliament. The local council elections saw increased participation and broadly representative results. Despite the first-time use of choice voting alongside a completely different voting system, error rates were, on average, remarkably low. The MMP elections ensured proportionality in seat shares and arguably prevented a wrong-winner result. There was early controversy over error rates allegedly around 10%, but actual error rates were lower. Later research moreover confirmed that voter error was due to critical ballot design flaws. _____________________________________________________________________________ Introduction On May 3, 2007, voters in Scotland elected a national Parliament and their local councils. Voters used two different voting systems. The Parliamentary elections were held under a mixed member proportional (MMP) system, while the local elections were conducted through the use of choice voting, called the single transferable vote (STV) in Scotland. Even though this was the first time choice voting was used for local elections, little confusion occurred, evidenced by a relatively low invalid ballot rate. Overall choice voting was successful in producing councils more representative of voters’ preferences with almost 85% of the councils emerging from the elections with no overall control by one party. The result was one of the most accurate representations of Scotland’s partisan diversity, which already had contributed to a multi-party system in both local and parliamentary elections.
    [Show full text]
  • Changing Scotland's Relationship with Alcohol: a Framework for Action
    Changing Scotland’s Relationship with Alcohol: A Framework for Action © Crown copyright 2009 ISBN: 978-0-7559-5972-3 The Scottish Government St Andrew’s House Edinburgh EH1 3DG Produced for the Scottish Government by RR Donnelley B59178 2/09 Published by the Scottish Government, February 2009 Further copies are available from Blackwell’s Bookshop 53 South Bridge Edinburgh EH1 1YS The text pages of this document are printed on recycled paper and are 100% recyclable CONTENTS Page Chief Medical Officer - Introductory Message 3 Ministerial Foreword 4 Summary 5 The Need for Change 6 The Government’s Purpose 8 The Discussion Paper and Responses 9 Our Proposals and Next Steps: Reduced Consumption 10 Supporting Families and Communities 13 Positive Attitudes, Positive Choices 20 Improved Support and Treatment 24 How Will We Measure Success? 29 Conclusion 29 Annex A – Summary findings from the analysis of consultation responses 30 Annex B – Extract from Independent Review of the effects of Alcohol Pricing and Promotion, ScHARR, University of Sheffield 36 Annex C – Summary of Actions 37 There is no doubt that alcohol misuse claims many hundreds of lives in Scotland every year - twice as many today as 15 years ago - and that it hits our poorest communities the hardest. It has become a major health, economic and social challenge for our people, a problem which is damaging families and communities across the country. We have a responsibility to do all we can to tackle it. In Scotland, we led the way on smoking and we can lead the way on alcohol misuse too. The measures set out in this paper will help but, most of all, every one of us has to look at our own relationship with alcohol.
    [Show full text]
  • Scotland the Brave? an Overview of the Impact of Scottish Independence on Business
    SCOTLAND THE BRAVE? AN OVERVIEW OF THE IMPACT OF SCOTTISH INDEPENDENCE ON BUSINESS JULY 2021 SCOTLAND THE BRAVE? AN OVERVIEW OF THE IMPACT OF SCOTTISH INDEPENDENCE ON BUSINESS Scottish independence remains very much a live issue, as First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, continues to push for a second referendum, but the prospect of possible independence raises a host of legal issues. In this overview, we examine how Scotland might achieve independence; the effect of independence on Scotland's international status, laws, people and companies; what currency Scotland might use; the implications for tax, pensions and financial services; and the consequences if Scotland were to join the EU. The Treaty of Union between England of pro-independence MSPs to 72; more, (which included Wales) and Scotland even, than in 2011. provided that the two Kingdoms "shall upon the first day of May [1707] and Independence, should it happen, will forever after be United into one Kingdom affect anyone who does business in or by the Name of Great Britain." Forever is with Scotland. Scotland can be part of a long time. Similar provisions in the Irish the United Kingdom or it can be an treaty of 1800 have only survived for six independent country, but moving from out of the 32 Irish counties, and Scotland the former status to the latter is highly has already had one referendum on complex both for the Governments whether to dissolve the union. In that concerned and for everyone else. The vote, in 2014, the electorate of Scotland rest of the United Kingdom (rUK) could decided by 55% to 45% to remain within not ignore Scotland's democratic will, but the union, but Brexit and the electoral nor could Scotland dictate the terms on success of the SNP mean that Scottish which it seceded from the union.
    [Show full text]
  • Understanding the 2015 General Election in Scotland Jan Eichhorn, Mor Kandlik Eltanani and Daniel Kenealy
    Understanding the 2015 General Election in Scotland Jan Eichhorn, Mor Kandlik Eltanani and Daniel Kenealy Understanding the 2015 General Election in Scotland Jan Eichhorn, Mor Kandlik Eltanani and Daniel Kenealy1 1. Introduction The 2015 General Election was remarkable for many reasons. The overall result, with David Cameron’s Conservative party securing an overall majority, surprised many after opinion polls had pointed to a hung parliament.2 In Scotland, the most noteworthy development was the shift of support from Labour to the Scottish National Party (SNP). Across Scotland there was a swing of 26.1 per cent from Labour to the SNP, with swings as high as 39.3 per cent (in Glasgow North East). Labour lost 40 of the 41 Scottish seats it had won at the 2010 general election, every one of them to the SNP who also picked up 10 of the 11 seats won by the Liberal Democrats in 2010. Overall, the SNP won 56 of Scotland’s 59 Westminster constituencies and 50 per cent of the vote – the highest share of the vote won in Scotland since the combination of the Scottish Unionist Party and the National Liberal and Conservatives recorded 50.1 per cent in 1955. The party had turned defeat in Scotland’s independence referendum eight months earlier into a landslide electoral triumph. Table 1: The 2015 and 2010 UK General Election result in Scotland, vote share % and seats Vote share Seats 2015 2010 2015 2010 SNP 50.0 19.9 56 6 Labour 24.3 42.0 1 41 Conservatives 14.9 16.7 1 1 Liberal Democrat 7.5 18.9 1 11 Others 3.3 2.5 0 0 Labour’s 24.3 per cent share of the vote was sharply down on the 42 per cent the party recorded in the 2010 general election.
    [Show full text]
  • SCOTLAND's POPULATION 2009 the Registrar General's Annual
    SCOTLAND’S POPULATION 2009 The Registrar General’s Annual Review of Demographic Trends 155th Edition A National Statistics publication for Scotland. National Statistics are produced to high professional standards set out in the Code of Practice for Official Statistics. They undergo regular quality assurance reviews to ensure that they meet customer needs. They are produced free from any political interference. (Laid before the Scottish Parliament pursuant to Section 1(4) of the Registration of Births, Deaths and Marriages (Scotland) Act 1965) SG/2010/95 Published 6 August 2010 General Register Office for Scotland, © Crown copyright 2010 2 General Register Office for Scotland, © Crown copyright 2010 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE REGISTRAR GENERAL of BIRTHS, DEATHS AND MARRIAGES for SCOTLAND 2009 155th Edition To Scottish Ministers I am pleased to let you have my Annual Report for the year 2009, which will be laid before the Scottish Parliament pursuant to Section 1(4) of the Registration of Births, Deaths and Marriages (Scotland) Act 1965. Duncan Macniven Registrar General for Scotland 6 August 2010 3 General Register Office for Scotland, © Crown copyright 2010 4 General Register Office for Scotland, © Crown copyright 2010 CONTENTS Page Introduction 7 Important Points 9 Chapter 1 Population 15 Chapter 2 Births 25 Chapter 3 Deaths 32 Chapter 4 Life Expectancy 45 Chapter 5 Migration 53 Chapter 6 Marriages and Civil Partnerships 62 Chapter 7 Divorces and Dissolutions 66 Chapter 8 Adoptions and Gender Recognition 68 Chapter 9 Households and Housing 69 Chapter 10 Very Near the Truth: a history of the census in 77 Scotland Appendix 1 Summary Tables 108 Appendix 2 Notes & Definitions 111 Notes on Statistical Publications 117 5 General Register Office for Scotland, © Crown copyright 2010 6 General Register Office for Scotland, © Crown copyright 2010 Introduction Scotland’s economy was in recession from the summer of 2008 to the autumn of 2009.
    [Show full text]
  • Stature in Scotland Over the Centuries
    HISTORY STATURE IN SCOTLAND OVER THE CENTURIES W.J. MacLennan, Professor Emeritus, Geriatric Medicine Unit, Edinburgh INTRODUCTION • an imbalance of age, gender or social class often exists Throughout history, there have been conflicting views at a particular funerary site with multiple interments; regarding the stature of Scots. The Classical world viewed • over-enthusiastic antiquaries wrecked burial sites, Celts as tall, red-haired warriors who went naked into bagging cairns in the same way as they shot pheasants; battle covered in blue tattoos.1 Later images portray and Picts as dwarves living in earth houses: • farmers and quarrymen used cairns and bones as sources of stones and fertiliser. It seems strange that the aborigines should return to their dark, rude, and underground dwellings, when, CALCULATION OF HEIGHT AND GENDER as in this instance, they were almost in sight of the Since skeletons rarely are complete, height is calculated comparative luxury of a Roman settlement. 2 from a formula related to the length of the long bones;7 less reliable formulae for other bones are also available. Hyperbole abounded after the Wars of Independence, Determination of gender is even more difficult unless with William Wallace, wielding an enormous claymore, several bones from the skeleton are available.8 A wide towering over his foes.3 In later decades there was every pubic angle and wide sciatic notch at the back of the reason for Scots to have a stunted growth as they suffered pelvis are features used to determine whether skeletons from recurrent episodes of plague and famine.4 Popular are female. evidence of a low stature during this period are small suits of armour (worn by sons of the nobility on MESOLITHIC PERIOD (8500–4000 BC) ceremonial occasions), short four poster beds (cut at a Humans were well established in Scotland by 8500 BC.9 later period to fit into rooms) and low door lintels (used They lived as hunter-gatherers, following a carefully as a defence).
    [Show full text]
  • Code of Audit Practice 2016 Who We Are
    Code of audit practice 2016 Who we are The Auditor General, the Accounts Commission and Audit Scotland work together to deliver public audit in Scotland: • The Auditor General is an independent crown appointment, made on the recommendation of the Scottish Parliament, to audit the Scottish Government, NHS and other bodies and report to Parliament on their financial health and performance. • The Accounts Commission is an independent public body appointed by Scottish ministers to hold local government to account. The Controller of Audit is an independent post established by statute, with powers to report directly to the Commission on the audit of local government. • Audit Scotland is governed by a board, consisting of the Auditor General, the chair of the Accounts Commission, a non-executive board chair, and two non-executive members appointed by the Scottish Commission for Public Audit, a commission of the Scottish Parliament. Scottish Government, NHS, Further education Auditor Scottish General Parliament Audit Scotland Across public sector The public Controller Accounts of Audit Commission Local government + health integration boards About us Our vision is to be a world-class audit organisation that improves the use of public money. Through our work for the Auditor General and the Accounts Commission, we provide independent assurance to the people of Scotland that public money is spent properly and provides value. We aim to achieve this by: • carrying out relevant and timely audits of the way the public sector manages and spends money •
    [Show full text]
  • Fire and Rescue Incident Statistics (Scotland) 2018-19
    FIRE AND RESCUE INCIDENT STATISTICS (SCOTLAND) 2018-19 31 October 2019 Working together for a safer Scotland Contents 1. Main Points 1 2. All Incidents 3 3. All Casualties 4 4. Fires 5 5. Fire Casualties 8 6. Dwelling Fires 13 7. Non-fire Incidents 14 8. Non-fire Casualties 16 9. False Alarms 18 10. Deprivation (SIMD) 20 11. Urban-Rural 22 12. Local Authority Comparisons 24 13. Great Britain Comparisons 26 Appendix A 29 This publication is accompanied by the following documents: Tables and Charts Workbook Guidance Notes on Statistics Statistical News 2018-19 1. Main Points All incidents • 92,432 incidents attended, of which: 57.1% were false alarms 28.9% were fires 14.0% were non-fire incidents Fires • 26,726 fires attended, up 2.1% on last year 5,137 dwelling fires, down 3.5% . 4,628 of these were accidental, down 2.8% . 61.6% of accidental dwelling fires started with a cooking appliance 73.3% of dwelling fires were confined to the original item 21.9% increase in grassland fires which are known to be weather related Non-fire Incidents • 12,936 non-fire incidents attended, down 1.8%, of which: 3,267 were for effecting entry or exit to a property, up 4.6% 2,296 were road traffic collisions, down 9.2% 1,152 were flooding related (including burst pipes), down 11.5% False alarms • 51,988 fire false alarms, up 0.2%, of which: 50,517 were due to detecting apparatus 9,193 were due to good intentions 2,278 were malicious 1 Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Fatal Fire Casualties • 45 fatal fire casualties, 1 more than last year 36 of these occurred
    [Show full text]