Meeting of the Parliament 03 February 2026 [Draft]
Yes, it very much is. I am aware that Mr Dey, as parliamentary business manager, has been leading work on that at the Conveners Group. There are wider issues pertaining to the timetables associated with LCMs and lodging, and I recall that Mr Ross raised those exact issues at the end of June. The Secretary of State for Education wrote to me on 7 January, so some timings are outwith the Government’s control in that regard. However, to give Mr Ross comfort, we are absolutely committed to looking at those issues in more detail.
I am mindful of time. For the reasons that I have given, I recommend that the Scottish Parliament consents to the motion on giving the Scottish ministers powers to make provision that is consequential on devolved aspects of the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, in respect of community-based and secure accommodation.
I move,
That the Parliament agrees that the relevant provisions of the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, introduced in the House of Commons on 17 December 2024, and subsequently amended, relating to the new clause to be inserted after clause 64, which grants powers to the Scottish Ministers to make provision that is consequential on devolved aspects of clause 11 (Use of accommodation for deprivation of liberty), so far as these matters alter the executive competence of the Scottish Ministers, should be considered by the UK Parliament.