Meeting of the Parliament 13 March 2025
It is a privilege to take part in this members’ business debate, and I extend my congratulations to Paul O’Kane for securing it. As other members have done, I welcome all the young people who are here or, as I know from a text that I have just received, are watching online, which is very worrying.
I would like to pick up on something that the previous contributor talked about—I thank Jeremy Balfour for giving a very personal insight into the experiences of those being cared for and those around them who are affected by that. The quote that is so often used is that
“being a young carer is not a choice; it’s just what we do”.
However, I think that it goes beyond that. They do it for the love of the individual whom they care for. That is an incredibly important emotion and article of faith to explain why our young carers do what they do. They do it because of love. They do not choose the situation that they are in but, in most cases—in my experience, certainly—they would not change the situation for anything. It is a very powerful part of their identity and their family’s identity.
I echo the point that a number of speakers have raised about the data, and I do so because I have a bizarre ask of the minister. I love finding the small and perhaps insignificant detail, which can be indicative of value. I am sure that the minister can take this on board and find a conclusion to it.
The Scottish Government recognises some 30,000 young carers but, as we have heard, it is believed that there are more than 100,000. The authority for the 30,000 figure is the “Embedding Children’s Rights in Scotland: Scottish Position Statement”, which was published on 18 November 2022. I have no problem with that. However, it was fascinating that, when I tried to find the original authority for the 30,000 figure—as many young people know, we must reference facts—I found that, interestingly, the Government referred to section 16(4) of the Standards in Scotland’s Schools etc Act 2000. I am not sure why the issue relates to corporal punishment and when physical intervention can protect a child. That is an interesting example.
That is slightly mirthful, but my serious position is that we need to find the authority for that number of 30,000, because it is clearly far lower than the number in reality. The previous speaker talked about people who do not identify themselves as carers. The number of carers who are identified in our school system is pitifully low, and yet those young people have to face up to enormous experiences.
I also want to mention the young carers covenant and to remind colleagues, friends and others that they can sign up to the covenant and commit to go beyond words on a Thursday and take action. The covenant aims to ensure that young carers
“Are identified at the earliest opportunity ... Can access and succeed in employment/training opportunities ... Are safe and secure ... Feel that they have choice in their lives ... Can access and benefit from the rights they have ... Are able to thrive in education”
and
“Have time for themselves”,
which relates to the “geezabreak” theme. The covenant also aims to ensure that young carers
“Can access support for them and their families ... Have good physical and mental health”
and
“Live free from poverty”.
Those ideals are important to everyone in Scotland. Showing support for that covenant for our young carers is a heroic first step forward that we can carry on into action beyond words here on a Thursday.
13:11