The existing transmission charging model applied by National Grid and Ofgem for electricity grid access and use results in energy generators in Scotland paying higher transmission charges than elsewhere in Britain.

In November of 2008, the Scottish Government submitted detailed proposals to National Grid for an alternative transmission charging methodology based on a flat-rate charge, not based on location of generators connecting to the grid. Since then, we have made detailed and ongoing representations to support alternative charging models to National Grid, Ofgem, and UK ministers.

National Grid has consulted on the initial proposal from Scotland and, despite strong support from consultation respondents, recently announced its intention not change the existing locational based approach.

We will continue to press National Grid, Ofgem and UK Government, in the context of the UK Government''s wider review of grid access, to deliver access and charging methodologies for generators in Scotland that are equitable, compliant with EU law, and encourage, rather than discourage, energy from renewable sources.

The forthcoming guidance on social care procurement will take account of the duty on local authorities to offer eligible individuals in receipt of a social work service a direct payment.

The Scottish Government invited all local authorities separately to discuss local obstacles to self-directed support, gather input into a new strategy for increasing uptake and contribute to a review of current legislation. The Scottish Government has already met with Edinburgh City Council to discuss this.

The grounds for local authorities refusing direct payments should not depend on the reason for application, such as retendering exercises, but should be based on the criteria set out in existing legislation.

I understand that Edinburgh City Council has not suspended all approvals for an indefinite period. I believe the council is taking a sensible approach that ensures that their self-directed support clients are effectively supported. It is important that they ensure that resources are released from elsewhere to meet demand in a sustainable way. However, I encourage Edinburgh City Council to resolve this as quickly and effectively as possible.

The council has no plans to suspend all approvals for an indefinite period. The Scottish Government will continue to monitor this situation.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-27069 on 17 September 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx

Draft guidance on a national framework for access and entitlement to services for all adult social care groups was issued to local authorities and key stakeholders for consultation on 26 May. Of the 43 responses to the consultation almost 75% raised concerns about the impact of applying an eligibility framework on preventative services, particularly for adults with disabilities. The Scottish Government and COSLA are therefore proposing that the eligibility framework and waiting time targets should apply to older people in the first instance. We recognise that preventative services are also important for older people and work will be undertaken to explore this issue in greater detail as part of our efforts to re-shape older people''s care into the future.

The Scottish Government is currently developing guidance for local health and social care partnerships on measuring outcomes for people with learning disabilities to inform the planning and delivery of services. This will be issued in October.

Both of these guidance documents will promote wellbeing and independent living.

This question was answered in the Chamber. The answer can be viewed in the Official Report using the following link:

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-09/sor0917-01.htm

The Scottish Government is producing guidance for local statutory organisations to support them in developing plans for learning disability services based on outcomes for service users. The guidance will support the role of anticipatory and preventative services in delivering quality of life outcomes for people with learning disabilities. This will be issued in October.

Self directed support is one route for accessing preventative support. We are funding three Self Directed Support Local Authority test site areas and a project within NHS Lothian that are investigating preventive interventions with service users, including people with learning disabilities.

In addition the Scottish Government has provided funding to the Scottish Consortium for Learning Disability for a Local Area Co-ordinator national development worker. The national development worker will work to promote the local area co-ordinator role to support individuals with learning disabilities and their families and to strengthen communities'' capacity to be inclusive.

With regards to the draft national criteria I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-27069 on 17 September 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility can be found at:

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.