Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 11 March 2020
11 Mar 2020 · S5 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Funded Childcare (Expansion)
I welcome the opportunity to debate the policy, because it is one of the most important in our most recent manifesto. The expansion to 1,140 hours of childcare will be transformational for the lives of many of our citizens. Nothing that we do as legislators or politicians is more important than that.
In supporting our communities, it is absolutely vital that we tackle the attainment gap and reduce poverty. The policy will allow more parents to get into work and give them the opportunity to take advantage of the workplace. It will also ensure that the highest-quality education is given to our young people at the earliest opportunity.
I repeat the statement that the minister quoted from the report:
“The Scottish Government and councils are making steady progress to deliver the expansion of funded early learning and childcare ... At a national level, progress is broadly in line with plans to deliver the increased hours by August 2020.”
Progress is already being made, and we can look to the 50,000 children who are already in receipt of expanded childcare.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Linda Fabiani)
SNP
The next item of business is a Conservative Party debate on motion S5M-21177, in the name of Jamie Greene, on the expansion of funded childcare. 14:42
Jamie Greene (West Scotland) (Con)
Con
From August this year, universal funded early learning and childcare for three, four and vulnerable two-year-olds will increase from 600 to 1,140 hours per c...
The Minister for Children and Young People (Maree Todd)
SNP
In September last year, 50,000 children across Scotland were already benefiting from additional high-quality early learning and childcare—high-quality learni...
Daniel Johnson (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab)
Lab
Does the minister consider that “steady progress” is enough, given that only 40 per cent of the relevant children are receiving the increased hours, which me...
Maree Todd
SNP
As I will go on to explain during the debate, I am absolutely confident that we will deliver in August 2020, and I will give my reasoning for that. The repo...
Jamie Halcro Johnston (Highlands and Islands) (Con)
Con
The minister will be aware that the Peedie Breeks nursery in Orkney is scheduled to close in July. What consultation has she had with the local council about...
Maree Todd
SNP
From my communication with the local authority, I understand that it is confident that places are available in the system already, despite the fact that that...
Jamie Greene
Con
Saying that councils have robust contingency plans is one thing, but what are they? Where are the places? Where are the children actually going to go?
Maree Todd
SNP
As Jamie Greene will be aware, members are perfectly at liberty to explore the robust contingency plans with the local authorities in their areas. I have bee...
Jamie Greene
Con
What are they?
Maree Todd
SNP
Why does the member not ask his local authority? Why does he not work with his local authority, just as I am doing? I turn to the workforce. It bears repeat...
Liam Kerr (North East Scotland) (Con)
Con
In March 2018, I asked the minister whether she would guarantee that local authorities would not be short of staff. She said: “I will absolutely give a guar...
Maree Todd
SNP
Yes—I guarantee that we will not find ourselves short of staff by August 2020. I know that there are concerns about movement of staff from private and third...
Mary Fee (West Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
What does the minister have to say to the childminding sector, which is already expressing grave concerns about the delay in issuing guidance and where the s...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
I can give you more time to cover the interventions, minister.
Maree Todd
SNP
Thank you. We will come on to the issue of childminders, but I note that childminders are expected to more than double the proportion of ELC that they provi...
Mary Fee (West Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
I welcome the opportunity to open the debate for Scottish Labour. We have long supported the ambitions behind the early learning and childcare expansion to 1...
Jamie Greene
Con
The Conservatives will support the Labour amendment, which makes a very valid point. The reality is that funded providers in the private sector are strugglin...
Mary Fee
Lab
I am grateful to Jamie Greene for his intervention. It is obvious that funders and providers need to be able to pay their staff the living wage and that they...
Alison Johnstone (Lothian) (Green)
Green
I am grateful to the Scottish Conservatives for using their business time to enable us to debate progress in the expansion of funded childcare. If we delive...
Beatrice Wishart (Shetland Islands) (LD)
LD
I thank Jamie Greene for giving Parliament the opportunity to debate the Government’s progress in expanding early learning and childcare. The expansion is an...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
We move to the open debate. Can I have speeches of up to six minutes, please? I can allow a little time for interventions. 15:23
Clare Adamson (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP)
SNP
I welcome the opportunity to debate the policy, because it is one of the most important in our most recent manifesto. The expansion to 1,140 hours of childca...
Brian Whittle (South Scotland) (Con)
Con
Will the minister take an intervention?
Clare Adamson
SNP
I am a member. Laughter.
Brian Whittle
Con
I am sorry; it is not up to me to promote Clare Adamson. In a previous debate, you raised concerns about the sector in your constituency. Are you now comfor...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
Can members always speak through the chair, please?
Brian Whittle
Con
I apologise.
Clare Adamson
SNP
I believe that every member in the chamber is absolutely focused on delivering the best for our young people. Doing so involves scrutiny and taking on board ...
Mary Fee
Lab
Will the member give way?