Meeting of the Parliament 27 March 2025
Absolutely, and I appreciate that lots of them do it. However, as I said, the bill would be unaffordable for the Scottish Government to fund. I ask members who support the bill as it currently stands from where they would seek to cut funding in education. Would it be from our teachers, our schools, our nurseries or our colleges?
For those reasons, the Scottish Government has not lodged a financial resolution at this time. I am aware that that might frustrate members, but I remind members that Scottish ministers have a unique responsibility and accountability for the appropriate management of the budget. The financial resolution exists as an important and legitimate mechanism for that. Scottish ministers will lodge a financial resolution if and when affordability of the provisions and other practical challenges can be assured, up to six months following the conclusion of stage 1.
I reassure members that, should the bill pass at stage 1, I will continue to work constructively with the member in charge of the bill. As recently as 13 March, we met to discuss the bill and touched on potential amendments. I am keen to fully explore how the overall financial burden of the provisions could be reduced.
My second point relates to equity. Through my conversations with stakeholders and further data gathering undertaken with the sector, I am aware that there is very limited capacity across centres in Scotland to host young people with complex additional support needs. In recent weeks, members have rightly raised their concerns about the need to support pupils with ASN, but if the bill is truly to deliver equitable opportunities for all our young people, and in a way that avoids any one learner with additional support needs being isolated, more time and more resources are required to deliver that universal provision.
My third concern is about the implications for the workforce, which have been touched on already. The bill presumes the delivery of residential outdoor education on a voluntary basis. However, as the convener pointed out, evidence to the lead committee makes it clear that, should the bill pass, it is likely that there would need to be a change in teachers’ contracts. It is also not for the Scottish Government to pre-empt any joint decision that would need to be made by the tripartite group, the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers, but it is certainly possible that the results of those negotiations could further increase the cost of delivery. Workforce capacity to respond to the bill would also need to be explored.
Overall, the Government absolutely recognises the positive aims behind the bill, and I hope that I have been very clear throughout our engagement that that is our view. It is on that basis that I wish to reaffirm my commitment to working with the member in charge to find a constructive and affordable way forward that delivers for all our children and young people.
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