Hansard

The Presiding Officer (Tricia Marwick) NPA

The next item of business is a debate on motion S4M-02888, in the name of Aileen Campbell, on the national parenting strategy for Scotland.14:05

The Minister for Children and Young People (Aileen Campbell) SNP

The Scottish Government’s aspiration is for Scotland to be the best place for children and young people to grow up in. We want all our children to have the b...

Mark McDonald (North East Scotland) (SNP) SNP

Will the minister give way?

Aileen Campbell SNP

I will give way to dad Mark McDonald.

Mark McDonald SNP

Does the minister agree that an issue that affects fathers—albeit that it is outwith the Scottish Government’s remit—is the short time that they are given fo...

Aileen Campbell SNP

Mark McDonald has made a valid point. The issue was the subject of discussion in the context of the Queen’s speech in the United Kingdom Parliament, and I lo...

Neil Bibby (West Scotland) (Lab) Lab

I do not think that any member would argue about the importance of parents in a child’s life. Parents and other guardians are often the biggest influence on ...

Aileen Campbell SNP

I grant that a lot of the consultation work with parents who face particular challenges has been done, but my intention in having the debate was to give memb...

Neil Bibby Lab

I will certainly give the minister some suggestions later in my speech.Better preparing and supporting parents in the responsibilities and opportunities that...

Sandra White (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) SNP

Will the member take an intervention?

The Presiding Officer NPA

The member is in his last minute.

Neil Bibby Lab

If the Government continues to let down kinship carers, what hope do other parents have that the national parenting strategy will help them?If the Government...

Nanette Milne (North East Scotland) (Con) Con

We Conservatives welcome the debate, and in so doing we recognise the importance of a permanent and loving family environment in which to bring up children. ...

John Mason (Glasgow Shettleston) (SNP) SNP

A number of fathers have been in touch with me about that. Does Nanette Milne agree that the courts seem to start from the position that the mother should ha...

Nanette Milne Con

Yes, I absolutely agree with John Mason. My family has experience of that situation, although we had a very positive outcome and my grandchildren have great ...

The Presiding Officer NPA

We move to the open debate. I remind members that speeches should be up to four minutes long.14:28

Clare Adamson (Central Scotland) (SNP) SNP

I am glad to speak in this important debate on a national parenting strategy for Scotland.I congratulate my colleague Jim Eadie on sponsoring yesterday eveni...

Anne McTaggart (Glasgow) (Lab) Lab

I am always glad to have the opportunity to discuss how we can improve the lives of children and young people in Scotland, and today is no different. However...

John Wilson (Central Scotland) (SNP) SNP

Like in Glasgow.

The Presiding Officer NPA

Mr Wilson, will you please stop shouting across the chamber?

Anne McTaggart Lab

The importance of the early years to a person’s development is now more apparent than ever. That should be reflected by action to improve children’s start in...

Sandra White SNP

Will the member give way?

Anne McTaggart Lab

My Labour colleagues in Glasgow—

Sandra White SNP

Will the member give way?

The Presiding Officer NPA

The member is not giving way.

Anne McTaggart Lab

—will also extend the vulnerable twos programme, which offers support to vulnerable children across the city and will focus resources on parenting support fo...

Maureen Watt (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP) SNP

I congratulate the minister on securing this debate on the national parenting strategy and the Government on taking the time to consult families from a wide ...

Siobhan McMahon (Central Scotland) (Lab) Lab

Developing a national parenting strategy that is coherent and relevant to families across Scotland is a laudable aim, but the motion is an extended exercise ...

Kevin Stewart (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) SNP

Will the member give way?

Siobhan McMahon Lab

No, thanks. Despite the coalition Government’s sad, if predictable, dismantling of it, sure start remains a shining example of the early years provision to w...