Hansard

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur) LD

The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-11053, in the name of Jenni Minto, on the early childhood development transformational change programme. ...

The Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health (Jenni Minto) SNP

It is a great privilege to open the debate on our early childhood development transformational change programme. I believe that it will create the opportunit...

Oliver Mundell (Dumfriesshire) (Con) Con

I appreciate and agree with much of what Jenni Minto is saying. However, does she not recognise that, at the moment, the waits for speech and language servic...

Jenni Minto SNP

Through the programme, we are gathering evidence to ensure that we improve what is going on across the country. We are working hard to deliver that. I am pr...

Meghan Gallacher (Central Scotland) (Con) Con

Will the minister take an intervention?

Jenni Minto SNP

I would like to make some progress. By working together, we will create a culture, an environment and a society that enhance early child development. I saw ...

Martin Whitfield (South Scotland) (Lab) Lab

The Scottish Government’s own research on the baby box found questions raised by professionals. Jenni Minto mentioned breastfeeding—questions were raised abo...

Jenni Minto SNP

That is a fair question from Mr Whitfield. We are gathering information so that we can understand the different requirements. We have a really strong process...

Meghan Gallacher Con

A leaked document from staff at a Lanarkshire hospital has shown that senior medics fear for the safety of babies if the specialised centre at the Wishaw neo...

Jenni Minto SNP

We are currently speaking to medics in the neonatal unit in Wishaw. However, I take the opportunity to emphasise the important, evidence-driven changes that ...

Roz McCall (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Con

I am pleased to open the debate on behalf of the Scottish Conservatives. As much as I understand that the Scottish Government recognises a need for an earl...

The Presiding Officer (Alison Johnstone) NPA

I call Martin Whitfield to speak to amendment S6M-11053.1. 15:45

Martin Whitfield (South Scotland) (Lab) Lab

It is a pleasure to take part in this debate because, to echo what Jenni Minto said in her contribution, children are the most important people in Scotland. ...

Jenni Minto SNP

It is important to recognise that the Government has invested an additional £9 million in breastfeeding and that 46 per cent of babies aged from six to eight...

Martin Whitfield Lab

I am now concerned that we are having a debate in which we are being told that we are trying to find data when data actually exists. Could we not have had a ...

Meghan Gallacher Con

Does the member agree that it would also be helpful if before today’s debate, Opposition parties had been made privy to what the programme would actually mea...

Martin Whitfield Lab

Absolutely. Information is all.

Jenni Minto SNP

Will the member accept an intervention?

Martin Whitfield Lab

I will proceed or we will get stuck in a cul-de-sac. Information is all and we must know what the ideas are. People in this chamber and across Scotland—prof...

Willie Rennie (North East Fife) (LD) LD

I will start with a quote from one of my favourite Nobel prize winners, the economist Professor James Heckman. He said: “some kids win the lottery at birth,...

Martin Whitfield Lab

Will the member take an intervention?

Willie Rennie LD

Let me just say this next bit. It is a bit odd that today’s debate is broadly about rhetoric rather than a plan. I like the rhetoric; I could talk about rhe...

Rona Mackay (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP) SNP

Scotland is leading the way in giving children the best start in life. I am proud to say that that is internationally recognised and evidenced through the gr...

Oliver Mundell (Dumfriesshire) (Con) Con

I welcome the opportunity to speak in today’s debate. It is personal to me, having two relatively young daughters and many friends who have children in this ...

Rona Mackay SNP

Does the member recognise any good policies that the Scottish Government has introduced? Does he recognise that some of the ones that I have just listed are ...

Oliver Mundell Con

I recognise them, and I am saying exactly that, but I cannot understand how the member can come here and trot off that political spiel without recognising th...

Ruth Maguire (Cunninghame South) (SNP) SNP

I welcome the opportunity to discuss our shared ambition for making Scotland the best place in the world to grow up in. I understand and believe that everyon...

Pam Duncan-Glancy (Glasgow) (Lab) Lab

The early years are pivotal for children’s future development and opportunities. Their experiences and the environment at that stage of their lives shape the...

Kaukab Stewart (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) SNP

I am pleased to be taking part in the debate. I hope that my previous experience can add to the conversation. I will start by acknowledging some of the good...

Oliver Mundell Con

I am grateful to Kaukab Stewart for bringing up that issue, because I ran out of time to do so during my speech. Does she think that the response to that cri...