Hansard

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing) SNP

The next item of business is a members’ business debate on motion S6M-20786, in the name of Roz McCall, on improved childcare support for parents. The debate...

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

I thank members from across the chamber for supporting my motion to allow this debate to take place. It is on a really important issue, and I am delighted th...

Christine Grahame (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP) SNP

I thank Roz McCall for securing this debate. It is important to see how the ELC system is working and how it can be improved.It is worth remarking in passing...

Roz McCall Con

I recognise what the member is saying, but that is not helping parents right now. How can we support parents to access that childcare?

Christine Grahame SNP

The point that I am making is that three and four-year-olds do not benefit only from free nursery education. There are lots of other supports for children, e...

Meghan Gallacher (Central Scotland) (Con) Con

I declare an interest: I sit on the advisory board of Pregnant Then Screwed.I come to this debate not as a member of the Parliament but as a parent. Last yea...

Christine Grahame SNP

I am trying to be helpful. Does the member think that remote working, which is not available to everybody, has helped to build in some flexibility for parents?

Meghan Gallacher Con

I remember that, during the gender recognition reform debate, I broke my maternity leave because it was important to me to vote on the issue. I had Charlotte...

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing) SNP

Ms Gallacher, you are over your time. I move on to Davy Russell. I indicated to members that we are under time constraints today. Please speak to your allott...

Davy Russell (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (Lab) Lab

I thank Roz McCall for bringing the debate to the chamber.Childcare is a matter dear to my heart. I am a grandpa, and my grandson is lucky that, as well as m...

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing) SNP

Mr Russell, I am sorry to interrupt you, but could you please move your microphone up? Thank you.

Davy Russell Lab

I am sorry. Where were we?There is a long-term impact when a parent has to leave work. It is harder to save on one income and non-working parents pay rent or...

Gillian Mackay (Central Scotland) (Green) Green

I thank Roz McCall for her motion and for this debate.We have heard from parents up and down the country not only about how expensive childcare is but about ...

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing) SNP

The member will shortly conclude her speech.

Gillian Mackay Green

Other things that we need to resolve include the issue that I raised at First Minister’s question time on cross-boundary placements. It is not an easy pictur...

Tim Eagle (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Con

I, too, congratulate Roz McCall on securing the debate. It is interesting to hear, from across the chamber, about situations that I found myself in years ago...

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing) SNP

I call the Minister for Children, Young People and The Promise, Natalie Don-Innes, to respond to the debate for up to seven minutes.13:23

The Minister for Children, Young People and The Promise (Natalie Don-Innes) SNP

Seven minutes is not enough time in which to deal with all the points that have been raised, but I am more than happy to follow up with members after the deb...

Meghan Gallacher Con

To clarify, my point was not about the funding that the Government has put in. In 2023, the Government promised to expand childcare from the age of nine mont...

Natalie Don-Innes SNP

I will come on to that point, but it is not the case that nothing has materialised; a lot has materialised.I know that families are still facing challenges. ...

Roz McCall Con

I whole-heartedly accept all the points that the minister is making about where the Government has spent money. However, will she accept that, if that spendi...

Natalie Don-Innes SNP

I understand that things are not working for everybody, but the point of the investment is to improve things. As I have laid out, increased investment year o...