Hansard

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Linda Fabiani) SNP

The next item of business is a debate on motion S5M-01703, in the name of Mark McDonald, on expansion of early learning and childcare provision. Members who ...

The Minister for Childcare and Early Years (Mark McDonald) SNP

The current Scottish National Party Government has done more than any previous devolved Administration or other Government in the United Kingdom to expand en...

Liz Smith (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Con

I tend to agree with the minister about that point, but does he accept that the Scottish Government has some responsibility for finding out exactly what has ...

Mark McDonald SNP

I have had, and will continue to have, discussions with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities. When we put in place a policy and the funding to follow...

Daniel Johnson (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Lab

On affordability for flexibility, the key issue for a lot of parents is that too much provision is half days so they have to mix and match childcare, which i...

Mark McDonald SNP

The Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 contains a requirement for local authorities to consult parents and to pay due regard to flexibility. It wo...

Liz Smith (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Con

I think that this is the eighth time in the recent past that the Parliament has engaged in a full debate about the early years programme, alongside the many ...

Mark McDonald SNP

I am grateful to Liz Smith for her supportive comments. On the funding issues, part of the reason why we are taking the opportunity to consult on the bluepri...

Liz Smith Con

I am grateful to the minister for that. However, we already know some of the feedback. The Conservatives are responding to what has been a long-term campaign...

Daniel Johnson (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Lab

The Parliament holds consensus as one of its key virtues. The procedures that we adhere to, the committee structures and even the building’s architecture wer...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

I call Tavish Scott to speak to and move amendment S5M-01703.2. You have up to seven minutes, Mr Scott. 14:58

Tavish Scott (Shetland Islands) (LD) LD

Thank you, Presiding Officer. I enjoy the poshness of your voice on these occasions. Late last night—Mark McDonald will appreciate this, as a football fan—I...

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Christine Grahame) SNP

Tread warily when you talk about being long in the tooth.

Tavish Scott LD

Liz Smith talked about providing enough flexibility, and I guess that that will be part of the debate. There does not seem to be much doubt about the import...

Liz Smith Con

Is it not true that one reason why it would be helpful to have a flexible voucher system is that it would get rid of some of the difficulties around birthday...

Tavish Scott LD

That may be a good argument for a voucher system, but I can think of one or two others that are perhaps less good arguments for it. I will come to them later...

Mark McDonald SNP

I take on board the point that Mr Scott makes. It is a question of making sure that we get the right combination of qualifications and career pathways, so th...

Tavish Scott LD

That seems an entirely appropriate way forward. I also have a point to make about revenue funding, which I am sure that many other members will make. It rel...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

We move to the open debate. Speeches should be of up to six minutes, although there is a tiny bit of time in hand, so if members take interventions, I will m...

James Dornan (Glasgow Cathcart) (SNP) SNP

There is not a member of the Scottish Parliament who would disagree with the notion that children are the key to Scotland having a prosperous future. That po...

Annie Wells (Glasgow) (Con) Con

Rarely do we see cross-party support and consensus in the chamber, so I am pleased to hear the Scottish Government echoing some of the Scottish Conservatives...

Bob Doris (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (SNP) SNP

Will the member take an intervention on that point?

Annie Wells Con

I am sorry, but I have quite a lot to get through. I have been a mother all my working life, dropping my son off at half past 7 in the morning and picking h...

Bob Doris SNP

Will the member take an intervention on that point?

Annie Wells Con

I am sorry, but I just want to get on with this.

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

I can give you a little extra time, Ms Wells.

Annie Wells Con

No, I am fine. I have quite a lot to get through. Flexibility in childcare is important. Although 30 hours a week is, in theory, fantastic, the provision is...

Gail Ross (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (SNP) SNP

Before I start, I will say that my mother-in-law is one of the valued childminders we have been talking about today. That is not a declaration of interests, ...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

You may get extra help for that.

Gail Ross SNP

There are few things in life more important than aiming to give children the best start. They will grow into the leaders and decision makers of the future, t...