Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 28 May 2014
28 May 2014 · S4 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Scotland’s Future
No.
I know that the minister will say that there is detail, but one “illustrative example” is not sufficient. We cannot trust the Government’s analysis because it will not release the workings; we do not have the full picture. I have lodged numerous parliamentary questions asking for further information on the costings of the plan that is set out in the white paper, but not one of the answers has provided any additional detail.
I am told that
“The Council of Economic Advisers considered the economic and social importance of improving childcare provision”
but there will be no full report on its findings. Instead,
“The analysis informing the council’s deliberations will be reflected in the Annual Chair’s Report of the Council of Economic Advisers.”—[Official Report, Written Answers, 2 April 2014; S4W-20507.]
I look forward to seeing whether there is further detail available in that report.
It is not just tax receipts that do not add up.
References in this contribution
Motions, questions or amendments mentioned by their reference code.
- S4W-20507 Question
In the same item of business
The Presiding Officer (Tricia Marwick)
NPA
The next item of business is a debate on motion S4M-10131, in the name of Kezia Dugdale, on Scotland’s future. Time is extremely tight this afternoon, so the...
Kezia Dugdale (Lothian) (Lab)
Lab
Thank you, Presiding Officer. When the white paper was published in November, I was as surprised as the next person to see that childcare was front and cent...
The Minister for Children and Young People (Aileen Campbell)
SNP
The Government has a significant and positive track record of achievement when it comes to childcare, so I welcome any opportunity to talk about the issue, a...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Order. Let us hear the minister.
Aileen Campbell
SNP
Achieving all that will be one of the major gains of independence. The experts agree with that premise. Interruption. Labour members may laugh, but if they ...
Neil Bibby (West Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
Will the member give way?
Aileen Campbell
SNP
On the point about negativity, I give way to Neil Bibby.
Neil Bibby
Lab
The minister has talked a lot about the childcare policy in the white paper. What will the total cost of the policy be, and how will it be paid for?
Aileen Campbell
SNP
I always listen to the cabinet secretary, who has just said, “Independence is the answer.” That is exactly right. Interruption.
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Order.
Aileen Campbell
SNP
We have outlined the first phases of our childcare proposals. I am proud to stand by them. I will talk more about the costings and the attacks that Labour ha...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Mr Bibby, will you stop shouting at the minister across the chamber?
Aileen Campbell
SNP
Given the progress that we have made on childcare, and our ambitions to do even more, we will absolutely reject Kezia Dugdale’s motion this evening. Membe...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (John Scott)
Con
The member is in her last minute.
Aileen Campbell
SNP
I did not realise that the fag packet to which Kezia Dugdale referred this morning was about her own party’s policies. My goodness! Interruption.
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Con
The member is in her last minute, Ms Dugdale.
Aileen Campbell
SNP
I totally subscribe to Labour’s call to work together, but I say that with a feeling of déjà vu; I totally subscribed to that call when Labour leader Johann ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Con
You should draw to a close, please.
Aileen Campbell
SNP
In response to Labour’s calls today and echoing what I said one year ago, that is exactly why I work alongside Malcolm Chisholm and Willie Rennie on our task...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Con
No, no furthermores, thank you. You should draw to a close.
Aileen Campbell
SNP
We should also welcome the cross-party approach to childcare in Scotland. We will work together with others who want to. However, I regret that Labour’s con...
Willie Rennie (Mid Scotland and Fife) (LD)
LD
I am pleased to have the opportunity today to discuss childcare once again. Members across the chamber will know the Liberal Democrats’ ambition for nursery ...
Mike MacKenzie (Highlands and Islands) (SNP)
SNP
Will Willie Rennie take an intervention?
Willie Rennie
LD
No. I know that the minister will say that there is detail, but one “illustrative example” is not sufficient. We cannot trust the Government’s analysis beca...
Mike MacKenzie
SNP
Will Willie Rennie take an intervention?
Willie Rennie
LD
I am not going to take an intervention. Thanks to research that has been done by SPICe, we know that a 6 per cent rise in the female workforce is equivalent...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Con
Draw to a close, please.
Willie Rennie
LD
We should do everything that we can to ensure that every child in Scotland benefits from education.
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Con
Mary Scanlon has up to six minutes. We are very tight for time today. 15:41
Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con)
Con
It was a bit rich for the minister to tell the Labour Party to listen and learn when the Government is debating its white paper flagship policy today with a ...