Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament (Hybrid) 24 March 2021
24 Mar 2021 · S5 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
First Minister’s Question Time
Education (Attainment)
Nicola Sturgeon described closing the attainment gap as her “sacred responsibility”, but the Audit Scotland report is clear that the attainment gap that was meant to be closed is just as wide as ever. Who is to blame on that vital issue? Why, it cannot be the party that has been in full control of our education system for the past 14 years—no. On Monday, we heard the Government’s only solution when confronted by more than a decade of failing Scotland. It was another independence referendum bill, because that is all it has.
For my last question to Nicola Sturgeon in the chamber, I ask her this: how many times will she demand another independence referendum before she finally gets round to closing the education attainment gap?
In the same item of business
1. Ruth Davidson (Edinburgh Central) (Con)
Con
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The First Minister (Nicola Sturgeon)
SNP
I will come directly to that question but, first, I say that Ruth Davidson could have chosen to ask me about education in any previous week, but she has chos...
Ruth Davidson
Con
A bit of contrition from the First Minister might be in order, after the failures of her Government have been exposed, rather than a lack of honour or indeed...
The First Minister
SNP
First, Ruth Davidson has spent weeks misrepresenting me. Many legitimate questions should have been, and have been, asked of me, and I have shown plenty of c...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
I appreciate that this is a political exchange, and I always allow some latitude, but you have twice mentioned the House of Lords, First Minister. The point ...
Ruth Davidson
Con
Gallant but not required, Presiding Officer. The First Minister turns a good line on this: “My aim—to put it very bluntly—is to close that attainment gap. ...
The First Minister
SNP
If the Scottish people re-elect me to be First Minister, I will continue the work that we have been doing over those five years to improve attainment and clo...
Ruth Davidson
Con
Nicola Sturgeon described closing the attainment gap as her “sacred responsibility”, but the Audit Scotland report is clear that the attainment gap that was ...
The First Minister
SNP
There will be another independence referendum if the people of Scotland vote for another independence referendum. That is called democracy, which I know is a...