Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 29 September 2016
29 Sep 2016 · S5 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Early Learning and Childcare Provision
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 importance of making the big switch and big investment in our children’s future. I would not disagree with the minister’s arguments about trying to do as much as possible to target those in our society who face the greatest challenges, whether in terms of their educational upbringing or the health inequalities that, to be blunt, very much exist in parts of Scotland. As Daniel Johnson rightly pointed out, when children from the most deprived backgrounds start primary school, their vocabulary is, on average, 12 months behind that of their well-off peers. The OECD, which is much cited by all of us these days, has confirmed that
“these gaps widen as children move up the school system”.
That, surely, is not acceptable. It is intolerable that we continue to see that.
In the same item of business
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...