The Scottish Government

Group

Children

Definition/Source

The indicator is defined as the proportion of dependent children (aged under 19) in Scotland who are in households where no one is in work. Figures are taken from the Spring quarter of the Labour Force Survey.

Baseline Data

In 1999, 17 per cent of children lived in households where no one was working.

Trends over Time

The proportion of children in workless households has reduced slightly over the last 7 years.

Year

% children in workless households

1993

20%

1994

19%

1995

19%

1996

19%

1997

19%

1998

18%

1999

17%

Longer time series based on the Households Below Average Income datasets (using different definitions) show that the proportion of children without a parent in work in Scotland almost doubled between 1979 and 1996/97, from 14% to 26%.

Group

Children

Definition/Source

Low income figures for indicators a and b are taken from the Households Below Average Income dataset. We intend to use indicators that show the proportion of children living in households with less than 50, 60 and 70 per cent of median GB income and less than 50 and 60 per cent of mean GB income (both before (BHC) and after (AHC) deduction of housing costs). Indicator a - relative low incomes - will track the proportion of children which falls below these levels of income each year with the median/mean income rising over time. Indicator b - absolute low incomes - will track the proportion of children which falls below these levels of income each year with the levels fixed at their 1997/98 values in real terms

It is intended to develop Indicator c - persistent low incomes - over the next 2-3 years on the basis of the recently boosted Scotland sample in the British Household Panel Survey..

Baseline Data

The baseline figures for indicator a are drawn from the 1997/98 Households Below Average Income dataset using the Family Resources Survey. Because these figures are taken from a sample survey they are subject to sampling error. The figures in brackets may be less reliable than the others because of technical factors.

Proportion of children living in households below various income thresholds, Scotland, 1997/98

% of Mean

% of Median

50%

60%

50%

60%

70%

Before Housing Costs

29%

40%

(14%)

28%

38%

After Housing Costs

32%

41%

(21%)

30%

40%

Trends over Time

Not yet available

Group

Children

Definition/Source

Annual survey of 5-14 Attainment Levels, sent to all publicly funded schools in June each year, starting in 1999. The "appropriate levels" are Level A (Primary 2) and Level D (Primary7).

Baseline Data

This data will be available in January 2000.

Trends over Time

1999 was the first year of collection.

Group

Children

Definition/Source

This target is expressed in terms of access rather than as a percentage, reflecting the policy goal of meeting parental demand for pre-school. Key data relevant to this target are the numbers of 3 and 4 year olds with pre-school education places.

The annual census of pre-school education centres gives the number of children attending grant-funded pre-school education centres. All registered pre-school centres are inspected by HM Inspectors of Schools. It should be noted that since 3 year olds have access to publicly funded provision in the term after their third birthday, the numbers of children in provision will rise over the course of the school year.

Baseline Data

General Registrar Office, Scotland (GROS) 1996 based population projections give an estimated total of around 115,000 3 and 4 year olds in June 2003.

Total number of children in pre-school and ante pre-school years in September 1999 is 88,600 (provisional estimate). This does not include those 3 year olds who will enter publicly funded provision in the two later terms of the 1999-2000 school year.

Trends over Time

Total number of children in pre-school and ante pre-school years in February 1999 was 79,400. Figures for previous years are not directly comparable. However, in 1979/80 there were 31,900 pupils in publicly funded nursery schools in Scotland.

Group

Children
This milestone is made up of 4 separate indicators, as follows

1 Women smoking during pregnancy

Definition/Source

Monthly data are available based on self reported information obtained from mothers at their first ante-natal visit to hospital. Home births are excluded.

Baseline Data

In 1998 27.7% of women were smoking at the beginning of their pregnancy.

Trends Over Time

Year

% women smoking at the start of pregnancy

1993

28.0%

1994

28.7%

1995

28.8%

1996

29.2%

1997

28.9%

1998

27.7%

2 The percentage of low birthweight babies

Definition/Source

Monthly data are available. Home births are excluded. Low birthweight is defined as being less than 2,500 grams. It is important to distinguish between single and multiple births when considering low birthweight.

Baseline Data

In financial year ending 1998 53.4% of multiple births and 5.5% of single births were low weight. These data are provisional.

Trends over Time

Not yet available

3 Dental decay among 5 year olds

Definition/Source

Data are available from a survey prepared by the Dental Health Services Unit, University of Dundee every two years. The latest available information is for 1997/98.

Baseline Data

In financial year ending 1998 43% of 5 year olds were free from dental caries.

Trends over Time

In financial year ending 1996 41% of 5 year olds were free from dental caries.

Definition/Source

4 An increased proportion of women breastfeeding their babies

Monthly data on breastfeeding are available however, as it is not mandatory to complete this item the data are not necessarily complete.

Baseline Data

The percentage of babies breastfed in 1998/99 was 25.4%.

Trends over Time

The percentage of babies breastfed in 1997/98 was 25.4%.

Group

Children

Definition/Source

The number of households living in temporary accommodation is collected quarterly from local authorities via the summary statistical return on the operation of the homeless persons legislation (HL2 return). The number in temporary accommodation at the end of the quarter is reported on this return. The number of households with children living in temporary accommodation is not currently collected, although it is planned to do so quarterly, also via the HL2 return, from June 2000. Children will be defined as those who are dependent - i.e. all those aged under 16 and those aged 16-18 who are in full-time education or who are for some other reason unable to support themselves.

Baseline Data

At 31 March 1998 there were 4,020 households living in temporary accommodation, having been placed there by a local authority under the homeless persons legislation. Information on the number of households with children living in temporary accommodation will become available in the latter part of 2000.

Trends over Time

The number of households living in temporary accommodation as at 31 March increased from 1,629 in 1988 to a peak of 4,364 in 1995, and has since decreased to 4,020 in 1998. Trend data are not available on the number of households with children living in temporary accommodation.