This is a matter for education authorities. However, we will look to work with local authorities to identify steps we can take in the future to improve support for low income families to help meet the costs associated with school, for example, school uniforms and school trips.

Our aim is to launch an experimental prototype of the DirectScot portal in 2011 in order to gain valuable feedback from users. We are committed to improving access to public services and information.

The Scotland Low Carbon and Environmental Goods and Services Sector study estimated that there were 73,960 people employed in the low carbon economy in 2008-09.

These are broken down as follows:

Further sectoral and regional breakdowns are available in the consultant’s report at:

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/344829/0114756.pdf.

Community sports hubs will reflect the shape and needs of sport in the areas in which they will be situated. Following the publication of A games legacy for Scotland, a copy of which has been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 49208), in September 2009, we have committed £7.5 million of additional funding to help support local authorities develop their plans to ensure that 100 community sports hubs are delivered by 2014. Since September 2009 we have invested almost £19 million in facilities across Scotland some of which will feature in plans for the roll out of community sports hubs.

Social impact bonds offer a form of public-social partnership allowing for significant up-front investment in projects that will deliver real benefit. A social impact bond has already been developed and piloted in Peterborough. We are consulting with Scotland’s communities and our social partners to identify, develop, deliver and resource three pilot projects in Scotland.

We are currently examining the options for the development of climate change adaptation fund including support for international projects.

The Scottish Government is currently considering how best to take this commitment forward with the aim of ensuring that Scottish businesses have straightforward online access to the financial information and support they need to grow and create jobs.

The Scottish Government is currently considering how best to support and encourage an expansion of social banking in Scotland and decisions on future funding will be made later in the year.

Meanwhile, a review of the microcredit market in Scotland is underway. The Scottish Government is also making efforts to widen availability of affordable lending through existing schemes that make loans available to new and viable businesses over two years old.

The Scottish Government is still in the early stages of considering how to introduce new enterprise zones in Scotland so as to maximise their economic impact. These considerations include the likely consequences for the Scottish budget.

The 2011 UK Budget announcement on enterprise zones results in Barnett consequentials in Scotland of £0 million in 2011-12, £1.3 million in 2012-13, £3.4 million in 2013-14, £5.6 million in 2014-15 and £6.6 million in 2015-16. They arise as a result of expected business rate relief in England but remain illustrative. The final figures will reflect the actual level of relief provided.

The figure for 2015-16 sits outside of the current UK Spending Review period and will be considered during the next Spending Review period. In line with all Barnett consequentials, it is for Scottish ministers to allocate this funding.