Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 02 November 2023
02 Nov 2023 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Early Childhood Development Transformational Change Programme
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, far too many don’t—and most people have a hard time catching up over the rest of their lives.”
He went on to say:
“Early investment in the lives of disadvantaged children will help reduce inequality, in both the short and the long run”.
I do not think that anybody in the chamber would disagree with that.
There is a common understanding about what we are trying to do, and I accept that some of the work that the Government has done has been positive. The expansion to the 1,140 hours for three and four-year-olds and some two-year-olds is a good thing, and I think that it has made a difference to many young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. I take some credit for the expansion to the disadvantaged two-year-olds, which I eventually persuaded Alex Salmond to adopt after considerable and repeated badgering in this Parliament over many months. The support for those two-year-olds from disadvantaged backgrounds is an important part of raising the life chances for that group.
In the same item of business
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...