Natalie Don-Innes
Scottish National Party · Scotland
“Marie McNair: I am proud of the policies that the Scottish National Party Government has introduced, which make childcare more accessible. We know that wraparound childcare is essential to ensuring that parents can find and retain employment, and that the impact of that policy is keeping children out of poverty.”
“Families in Clydebank and Milngavie, like those throughout Scotland, benefit from our investment of £1 billion annually in the provision of 1,140 hours of high- quality early learning and childcare.”
“I have welcomed the opportunity to visit a wide range of settings during my time in office, seeing our support and funding in action and witnessing the passion, dedication and skill of our childcare professionals, who seek every day to get it right for every child.”
“That work will be developed with adoptive families and delivery partners to ensure that it reflects lived experience and supports a consistent national approach.”
“Although we have invested heavily in CAMHS, there might be more to do to ensure that children and young people get the support that they need. I have acknowledged the challenges that adoptive families face, the need to strengthen support and the dedication of the practitioners who support those families.”
“I will respond to a number of points that were raised in today’s debate, but, given that this is my final speech, I will take a minute to thank the people of the constituency that I represent— Renfrewshire North and West.”
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“I have welcomed the opportunity to visit a wide range of settings during my time in office, seeing our support and funding in action and witnessing the passion, dedication and skill of our childcare professionals, who seek every day to get it right for every child. As the next Government considers its priorities for childcare, I urge it to continue to put childcare providers’ voices at the heart of those discussions. Scottish Information Commissioner (Government Handling of Information) 5.”
“Marie McNair: I am proud of the policies that the Scottish National Party Government has introduced, which make childcare more accessible. We know that wraparound childcare is essential to ensuring that parents can find and retain employment, and that the impact of that policy is keeping children out of poverty. Will the minister set out the Government’s continued commitment to childcare providers across Scotland in recognition that they are key stakeholders in the delivery of our childcare strategy? Natalie Don-Innes: I absolutely recognise the fundamental importance of childcare providers as the cornerstone of the childcare system in Scotland. I am glad that Marie McNair asked that question, as it allows me to put that on record one last time.”
“Families in Clydebank and Milngavie, like those throughout Scotland, benefit from our investment of £1 billion annually in the provision of 1,140 hours of high- quality early learning and childcare. The evaluation of that policy that was published last week shows that it is helping parents, particularly women, into work, training or study, enabling them to make choices that support families and helping families to meet the cost of living challenge. If families paid for that offer, it would cost more than £6,000 annually. We are also expanding school-age childcare, delivering breakfast clubs for all children in primary school and extending the extra time programme to help more families impacted by poverty.”
“We will continue to listen, learn and act. The Deputy Presiding Officer: That concludes the debate. Meeting closed at 19:37. This is the final edition of the Official Report of this meeting. It is part of the Scottish Parliament Official Report archive and has been sent for legal deposit. Published in Edinburgh by the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body, the Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh, EH99 1SP All documents are available on the Scottish Parliament website at: www.parliament.scot Information on non-endorsed print suppliers is available here: www.parliament.scot/documents For information on the Scottish Parliament contact Public Information on: Telephone: 0131 348 5000 Textphone: 0800 092 7100 Email: sp.info@parliament.scot”
“Although we have invested heavily in CAMHS, there might be more to do to ensure that children and young people get the support that they need. I have acknowledged the challenges that adoptive families face, the need to strengthen support and the dedication of the practitioners who support those families. I again thank Fulton MacGregor for securing this debate. As I said last week, I and the adoptive community are confident that he will continue to champion the rights of adoptive families with great care and dedication. I have certainly enjoyed working with Mr MacGregor throughout my time in the Parliament, and I know that he is deeply committed to this cause. The Government remains firmly committed to standing alongside adoptive families and to working with them and the wider community as we take forward the actions that I have set out.”
“Natalie Don-Innes: Yes, of course. The Deputy Presiding Officer: I ask Fulton MacGregor to be brief. Fulton MacGregor: I welcome the minister’s engagement on this issue. When she talks about access to services, does that include child and adolescent mental health services, as we spoke about last week? A lot of adoptive families told us through the work of the cross-party group that access to CAMHS is particularly difficult for adopted children. Natalie Don-Innes: That must be recognised. Child and adolescent mental health services are key for adoptive families, but they stretch into other areas of our work to deliver the Promise, because there are a lot of children and young people who face challenges in that regard. As members will know, the Promise is a shared commitment across the Government.”
“That work will be developed with adoptive families and delivery partners to ensure that it reflects lived experience and supports a consistent national approach. I have also heard loud and clear from the adoptive community about the need, when adopted people are accessing services, for more consistent recognition that they are care experienced. Regulations and guidance that will be produced under section 5 of the bill will set out a broad and inclusive definition of care experience that explicitly includes adopted children and young people. We will work closely with the adoption community to ensure that the guidance reflects lived experience and supports effective access to services. I began my speech by recognising the commitment of adoptive families in providing safe and loving— Fulton MacGregor: Will the minister take an intervention?”
“Peer support plays a key role and, to strengthen its consistency and visibility, the bill that was passed last week will require local authorities to promote awareness and uptake of peer support services throughout the adoption process and after adoption has taken place. As Mr MacGregor has highlighted, the issue of timing and when such support is offered is key, and I hope that the changes that I have referred to will help improve things. Concerns were raised at stage 3 of the bill, and have been raised again today, that current data underestimates the true scale of adoption breakdowns in Scotland. That is why I confirmed last week that I will make clear to the incoming Government the importance of progressing work early in the next session of Parliament to develop a shared definition of adoption breakdown.”
“I believe that that work will provide a structured opportunity to examine the range of issues raised by families and practitioners, including practice models, practitioner training, preparation and support, crisis intervention, respite and the use of adoption allowances, which is, I know, another area where there is great inconsistency. We will work closely with adoptive families and practitioners throughout the process to ensure that any future changes are evidence based and are responsive to children’s needs. Families have emphasised the value of support that is grounded in lived experience.”
“Those concerns have been echoed again today and in the cross-party group’s report. Families have described gaps and inconsistencies in the support that is available to them, and I think that their experiences underline why this debate really matters and why, as other members have said, support must be timely, consistent and aligned with the needs of adopted children and their families. As I stated at stage 3 of the bill, I will make very clear to the incoming Government the importance of reviewing the adoption support sections of the 2011 adoption and looked-after children guidance. That review should also consider whether new statutory guidance should be issued on adoption support services under the existing powers in the Adoption and Children (Scotland) Act 2007.”
“Our adoption vision statement, which was published in November 2024, was developed with the adoption community. It sets out Scotland’s vision for the future of adoption and makes it very clear that consistent and comprehensive post- adoption support, accessible when and where required and, indeed, throughout life, is essential. The vision identified key actions, which we have made significant progress in delivering. We are continuing to invest in that work, and I have a lot to say about that, but I am sure that, given the time, members would rather that I focus on what we will do, so I will move on to that. During the passage of the Children (Care, Care Experience and Services Planning) (Scotland) Bill, I heard about the challenges faced by many adoptive families in accessing post-adoption support.”
“Entering government is not straightforward or simple, but it is made so much easier when you have solid experience and support around you. I am so thankful not only to have worked under Ms Gilruth but to have gotten to know her, and I wish her all the best for the future. Adoption can be hugely positive, but the early adversity and loss of their birth family faced by many children can have lasting impacts on their development, wellbeing and relationships. I recognise that adoptive families might need support at different stages of their journey. As members have said, it is not simply the case that, once an adoption process is complete, support is no longer needed—far from it. That has been made very clear to me when I have been out meeting adoptive families, and it has been raised with me by Mr MacGregor, too.”
“I want to thank my colleagues across the chamber, my party’s spokespeople, Roz McCall, Martin Whitfield, Jeremy Balfour and others I have worked with on a number of issues in the Parliament for their continued engagement with, and dedication to, helping Scotland’s children and young people. I also thank them for their lovely words, both tonight and last week. I am not very good at taking compliments, but please be assured that I am extremely thankful for everything that has been said. I want to thank my private office and the Parliament staff, who go to so much effort to ensure that we MSPs have what we need. I put on record my thanks to my cabinet secretary, Jenny Gilruth. Ms Gilruth has been such a huge support to me throughout my time in government.”
“Whether on social security, housing support or local issues and priorities; on initiatives and issues such as championing local breastfeeding-friendly support or parking at the Royal Alexandra hospital; or by ensuring that our local play parks get the investment that they need, I have always tried to be a voice for those who do not have one and for those who need it most. Going forward, the constituency of Renfrewshire North and West will be no more, as the boundary changes take hold, so I say one last time to the amazing people of Bridge of Weir, Houston, Bishopton, Erskine, Langbank, Gallowhill, Renfrew, Inchinnan and Kilmacolm—thank you. There are too many others to thank, but I will give it a quick go.”
“I will respond to a number of points that were raised in today’s debate, but, given that this is my final speech, I will take a minute to thank the people of the constituency that I represent— Renfrewshire North and West. Everything that I have achieved over the past five years would not have happened if the good people of Renfrewshire North and West had not put their faith in me at the previous election. It has meant so much to me to be able to represent them, stand up for their interests in our Scottish Parliament and support them when needed. I also want to say a huge thank you to my office staff, who have been there day and night to assist me. My team and I have worked to ensure that families in my constituency and across Scotland get the support that they need, particularly during the UK Government-inflicted cost of living crisis.”
“I thank Fulton MacGregor for securing the debate and for highlighting the work of the cross-party group on social work. Supporting children and young people to grow up loved, safe and respected sits at the heart of keeping the Promise. For those who can no longer live with their birth families, adoptive families play a vital role in providing safe, loving and nurturing homes. I know that members have personal experiences with that and care deeply about the issue, and I want to be clear that it is a priority for the Government. Last week, I made clear my vision for all care-experienced children, young people and adults to be supported in the way that best suits their needs.”
“I move, That the Parliament agrees that the Children (Care, Care Experience and Services Planning) (Scotland) Bill be passed. 17:53”
“I am deeply grateful to have been given the opportunity to lead the work and I thank the First Minister for giving me that opportunity and for his commitment to ensuring that the Promise remains a Government priority. My background did not set me on a path to become a politician, let alone a Government minister, but I hope that, by stepping into this role, I have shown any child or young person who feels that their future is hopeless, as I once did, that it is not. You have so much to give and I am living proof of that. Do not give up. I do not have time to say everything that I would like to, so I will close by once again thanking everyone: the children and young people, the organisations, my officials, members from across the chamber and everyone who has contributed to the bill. It has honestly been the honour of my life.”
“At times, I shared parts of my own story because I wanted people to know that I understood their story, too. I remember telling one group that I still feel uneasy when there is an unexpected knock at my door, because, when I was growing up, that rarely meant good news for me. I grew up in a world where distrust in services was normal, yet here I am, in politics, meeting senior officials, police leaders and educators. That journey has not been easy. Overcoming that distrust and the impostor syndrome that comes with it has taken time and those feelings do not disappear—people just learn how to manage them. This is not about me.”
“I want to take a moment to say how much it has meant to me. I have put my heart and soul into the bill and have prioritised it above everything else. I have worked harder on this than on anything I have ever done. I do not say that for recognition; I say it because of how deeply I care. One of the most meaningful parts of my role has been meeting young people with care experience and I am truly grateful to every one of you who gave me your time. Those conversations kept me focused and determined. You were never afraid to challenge me—ministers might think that committee scrutiny is tough, but it is nothing compared with walking into a room full of young people who have strong views on the Promise. You asked the hard questions and that mattered. Listening to your experiences of loneliness, anxiety, distrust and struggle stayed with me.”
“Many of those measures have been shaped by members from across the chamber, and I thank them for their thoughtful and constructive engagement, which continued right up to our stage 3 deliberations yesterday. Our willingness to work together sends a clear message to children and young people in care, and to those who have been in care, that this Parliament is determined to keep the Promise by 2030. I recognise that concerns about deliverability have been raised, and I understand those, but the bill was always intended to be ambitious, because delivering the Promise demands ambition from all of us. The Government is committed to working with partners to ensure that delivery is not only possible but meaningful. I am not seeking re-election, so there will be a new minister to take the work forward.”
“We also promised that the system would be responsive and that the scaffolding of support would be there when needed. Through the bill, we are promoting greater understanding of care experience. We are strengthening children’s services planning and accountability. Changes to the children’s hearings system will improve timescales, consistency and continuity— something that we heard very strongly from those who had experience of the hearings system. On that, I want to recognise the amazing work of the young people who were involved in Our Hearings, Our Voice. Their voices and work have been instrumental in transforming the hearing system, and they should be proud of the contribution that they have made to the bill.”
“We are strengthening support for kinship carers, and a national register of foster carers will help to protect children and ensure better matching with carers. We promised that, where living with family is not possible, children should stay with their brothers and sisters where it is safe to do so and belong to a loving home for as long as they need to. The bill commits to annually uprating kinship care and foster care allowances, extends continuing care to the age of 26 and limits the ability to make profit from the provision of children’s care services. We promised that children would be supported to build and sustain relationships with the workforce and their wider communities. We are creating a new system of aftercare, offering advice, guidance and support during the critical years, and we are strengthening corporate parenting duties.”
“We promised that children would be listened to and meaningfully and appropriately involved in all decisions about their care. Through the bill, children and adults with care experience will have a right to independent advocacy. We are making changes to the children’s hearings system to make it more child centred and rights respecting. By bringing key services within the scope of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, we are putting children’s rights at the heart of the care system. We promised that, where children are safe, loved and supported in their families, they should stay with them. Through the bill, we are making family group decision making more consistently available and introducing a right to request it.”
“Equally, I recognise the leadership of our former First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, whose commitment to the Promise helped to ensure that the findings of the care review were not only heard but acted on. Her determination to place care-experienced children and young people at the centre of national policy has been instrumental in driving that work forward and setting the direction that we continue to build on today. I also thank the committed individuals and organisations across Scotland who are working tirelessly every day to implement the Promise and improve lives. It has been a privilege to visit many of them, to see their work at first hand and to witness their passion and determination. The bill gives effect to the five foundations of the care review.”
“Presiding Officer, “We grow up loved, safe and respected so that we realise our full potential.” No law can achieve such an ambition on its own, but it can create the conditions, the support and the services that make it possible. That is what the Children (Care, Care Experience and Services Planning) (Scotland) Bill does. I thank every child, young person and adult with care experience who has contributed their views, experiences and ideas to shape the bill. I know that some of them planned to be in the gallery for the debate and many more are watching online. When Fiona Duncan agreed to lead Scotland’s independent care review in 2016, she set in motion the action that was needed to challenge, encourage and transform the system—and that continues to this day.”
“I hope that Mr Whitfield is assured that my amendments give effect to what he also wants to achieve while mitigating against some of the unintended consequences that his own amendments, as drafted, present. I ask that he support the Government amendments 91, 6 to 8 and 93 and not move amendments 96 and 97. In summary, I encourage members to support my amendments 91, 6 to 8, 93, 9, 13 to 15, 33, 209 and 88 and to vote against amendments 96 and 97 if they are moved. I also ask members to support Roz McCall’s amendment 92. I move amendment 91.”
“Also absent are provisions that hold to the principle of minimal intervention and that protect vital resources. Under the approach that is taken in Mr Whitfield’s amendments, resource for those who need it most would be used in identifying and approaching young people who do not wish to engage with the service. That is neither proportionate nor desirable. It is important to stress that all the amendments that I have lodged in relation to the stand-alone aftercare provision have been carefully drafted to bring clarity for children, their representatives and local authorities, in so far as that is possible, while also working together with the connected provisions that remain in the 1995 act.”
“I support Roz McCall’s amendment 92, which allows local authorities to continue to provide financial support to young people who have been looked after at some point who are aged between 16 and 25 years, and to those beyond the age of 26 on the basis of their individual need. Martin Whitfield’s amendments 96 and 97 are similar to his amendments 127 and 128 at stage 2, which helped to inform the approach to my amendments 91, 6, 7 and 8. We all want to ensure that aftercare provision puts the needs and wellbeing of each individual young person at the centre of the support that they receive. My amendments 91, 6, 7 and 8 continue to promote a rights-respecting approach, including for young people who choose not to approach local services upon turning 16 or who choose to do so at a later time. That is missing from amendments 96 and 97.”
“Although section 2 of the bill as introduced sought to extend section 29(7) of the 1995 act to care leavers from Northern Ireland, we now understand that no legislative reciprocity currently exists in relation to care leavers who have moved elsewhere in the United Kingdom. That means that it would not be desirable to have a legislative duty on Scottish local authorities to provide aftercare to care leavers from England and Wales. Amendment 91 no longer includes the amendment made by section 2 of the bill as introduced in relation to extending the aftercare provisions to care leavers from Northern Ireland. Amendment 15 therefore removes section 2 of the bill. Amendments 33, 209 and 88 create relevant definitions in the new provisions and clearly articulate the procedures that apply to the various regulation-making powers.”
“The phased roll-out of the provisions that are enabled by amendment 91 will support the workforce in delivering aftercare to a wider group of young people in a considered manner, giving them the time needed to adjust to increased numbers of children and young people requesting and receiving aftercare support. That will protect the quality of the support that is available. Amendment 9 makes amendments to primary legislation that are consequential on amendments 91, 6, 7 and 8. Amendments 13 and 14 remove sections 1A and 1B of the bill to enable my amendments 91, 6, 7, 8 and 93.”
“The amendments provide for the expansion of aftercare to formerly looked-after children who ceased to be looked after before the age of 16 and will ensure that aftercare support is provided in an equitable way to all young people aged 16 to 18 who left care before or after their 16th birthday. Amendment 6 makes it clear that all eligible persons must be assessed according to their needs. Aftercare support must be provided to 16 to 18-year-olds unless their welfare does not require it, and to all 19 to 25-year-olds who have eligible needs. Amendment 93 ensures that a local authority can seek the help of another public body, including another local authority, to support its efforts to deliver aftercare and financial assistance towards expenses of education or training for eligible individuals.”
“My amendments in group 1 all relate to the provision of aftercare and are needed to deliver quality care for young people in a transparent, organised and rights-respecting way. I listened carefully to the points raised during the stage 2 debate and have lodged amendments that I hope give assurance about our initial intention that all eligible young people who want aftercare can receive aftercare. Amendments 91, 6, 7, 8 and 93 will ensure that the restated section 29 of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 in relation to aftercare is as coherent as possible as a free-standing provision in the bill.”
“It is very concerning to hear that that has not taken place, and I ask the member to write to ministers with further detail on the situation so that we can explore it further.”
“Will the Government consider requiring councils to publish full depopulation impact assessments before progressing any statutory consultation or closure proposals? Natalie Don-Innes: The member raises important points, and what he has said is very concerning. The Scottish Government committed to reviewing the guidance on temporary closures for schools and council-run early learning and childcare settings—a practice that was previously referred to as mothballing. That review has now taken place, and the updated guidance provides clear advice for local authorities on when temporary closure is appropriate and how decisions should be made. It strengthens expectations around transparency, early engagement with parents and communities, and consideration of educational benefit and community impact.”
“Finlay Carson: Given that Scottish Government-funded population research shows that the loss of even a single essential service, such as a school or a nursery, can trigger a domino effect on housing demand, transport viability and wider community cohesion, and given that six nurseries in my constituency, including those in Drummore, Creetown and Kirkcowan, face temporary closure by Dumfries and Galloway Council, without any consultation, what action will the Scottish Government take to ensure that local authorities cannot make isolated decisions on school or nursery closures—whether temporary or permanent—without assessing their cumulative impact on rural population sustainability? Furthermore, what assurances can the minister provide that the specific decisions to which I referred will not accelerate rural depopulation?”
“The Scottish Government is committed to protecting and strengthening rural education. That is reflected in the enhanced statutory protections applying to rural schools that are contained in the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010, which include, for example, the presumption against closure. In addition, we are encouraging probationary teachers to take up placements in rural schools through the preference waiver payment, which offers £6,000 for primary, and £8,000 for secondary, probationary teachers in exchange for flexibility in placement location. Teachers in rural areas can also be eligible for the remote schools allowance and the distant islands allowance.”
“On a point of order, Presiding Officer. My app would not connect. I would have voted yes. The Deputy Presiding Officer : Thank you, Ms Don-Innes. Your vote will be recorded.”
“As I said, protecting vulnerable children is a top priority for the Government. We are taking action to protect vulnerable children through the Promise and non- legislative means. The Children (Care, Care Experience and Services Planning) (Scotland) Bill is making its way through the Parliament and will add protection for children and young people. On top of that, the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills announced last week that we will establish a statutory public inquiry into Scotland’s response to group-based child sexual abuse and exploitation. That will speak directly to some of the asks that Ms Regan has brought to me. Although the Children (Care, Care Experience and Services Planning) (Scotland) Bill is making its way through the Parliament, Ms Regan has not reached out to me to engage on any of those matters.”
“The catastrophic consequences of diluting sex-based safeguards leave the vulnerable exposed to avoidable risks. Children in care are among Scotland’s most vulnerable to exploitation, yet children in care were sold a promise instead of a plan to protect them. Brave survivors and whistleblowers have been left pleading for decisive action to close those safeguarding gaps, against talk of political legacy from those who walked away from an unkept promise. Leadership is judged by outcomes, not slogans, and promises are not protection. Frankly, can the lack of delivery of robust safeguarding and the lack of legal consequences for all those who exploit vulnerable children be judged to be anything other than a failure? Natalie Don-Innes: I do not agree with Ms Regan’s assumption on the matter.”
“Protecting children from harm is a key priority for the Government. The Promise directs focus to fulfilling children’s rights to be raised safely in their families. The rate of annual registrations to the child protection register fell from 4.1 per 1,000 children in 2018-19 to 3 per 1,000 in 2023-24, and rates of looked-after children also declined over that period. That suggests that agencies are putting safety plans in place earlier, before child protection plans become necessary. The Promise progress framework, which is set out jointly by The Promise Scotland and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, provides a national overview of the indicators that relate to the Promise. Ash Regan: Safeguarding loses effectiveness when ideological confusion weakens practical protections across public policy.”
“I mentioned the fact that we are delivering more funded after-school and holiday activities, which, together with our free new national breakfast club offer, takes us closer to providing families with the wraparound school-age childcare that they need. We are currently focusing our efforts on the families who need it the most, recognising the importance of accessible, flexible, free childcare. Once again, I thank all members for their contributions and for their commitment to improving childcare for all families across Scotland. 13:31 Meeting suspended. 14:00 On resuming— Portfolio Question Time Climate Action and Energy, and Transport”
“The same goes for tax-free childcare; it looks as if that is taken up by around 21 per cent of the total population requiring childcare. There is money available that is not being utilised, and I encourage members on all sides of the chamber to encourage local parents to take up those benefits. I am sorry, Deputy Presiding Officer—I am aware that I am over time, so I will bring my remarks to a close. As I set out at the beginning of my speech, I am happy to discuss further with members individually the points that they have raised. The Government is clear that we will go further in supporting families and children.”
“I hear what members are saying about affordability and, again, I hope that what I have set out today shows that the Government is trying to improve that. One issue around affordability that concerns me greatly is that, as we know, many families find it incredibly difficult to access the childcare benefit support that they need and to which they are currently entitled. We know, for example, that the uptake of universal childcare benefit in Scotland is very low, which means that many families who could have up to 85 per cent of their childcare costs covered are not currently accessing that support. Statistics show that those benefits are being taken up in only around 11 per cent of universal credit households.”
“Statutory guidance sets out that, where possible, children who receive their funded hours in a setting that is outside the local authority in which they reside should be treated on the same basis as those who access provision in their own local authority area. However, there is not a specific statutory duty to make ELC available to children who reside in different authority areas. I want all families across Scotland to benefit from the ambition that we have jointly set out with our local government partners in guidance on the funding follows the child approach. As I said, it is extremely concerning to hear of local decisions that are reported to reduce flexibility, choice and provider sustainability, and that will need to be considered in the next parliamentary session.”
“I will set out a bit of information and then give members an indication of where I think that we should go next. Arrangements for when children become eligible for funded ELC are set out in the Provision of Early Learning and Childcare (Specified Children) (Scotland) Order 2014. Those arrangements are intended to enable small groups of children to start at phased points, which makes the system more manageable, and many local authorities are going above and beyond that. However, it is extremely disappointing that decisions are being made to reduce local flexibility, and the Government will need to consider that in the next parliamentary session. That sits alongside some of the issues that were raised earlier about cross-boundary provision.”
“Roz McCall: 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 spending was working, two thirds of parents would not be questioning why they are working just to earn enough to put their children through childcare? Natalie Don-Innes: 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 on year is leading to improvements for parents, although I appreciate that we have further to go. Several issues came up in the debate, and I will try to address them in turn. I whole-heartedly understand the point that Gillian Mackay raised about early start dates.”
“More than 7,000 children and families who are most at risk of living in poverty are benefiting from funded or subsidised school-age childcare activities and related services through our investment in the early adopter communities programme, the extra time programme and the access to childcare fund. We are seeing positive outcomes from those programmes. Improved outcomes for children are also being reported from people being able to access a range of activities that support physical and mental health. In 2026-27, we will continue to invest more than £5.5 million in our extra time programme. We will also invest an extra £2.5 million to test the delivery of a wider after-school activities offer for primary school children.”
“We recognise that one of the most effective ways of tackling poverty is to enable parents and carers to enter sustainable work. Through our no one left behind approach, parents receive parental employability support from a dedicated key worker, which includes one-to-one tailored support to help to reduce barriers to employment. Since April 2020, more than 99,000 people have started to receive that support, of whom more than 30,000 were parents. In addition, our investments to deliver funded wraparound school-age childcare in some of Scotland’s most deprived communities demonstrate the ability of expanded access to childcare to support the Government’s priorities of tackling child poverty and achieving economic growth.”
“In 2023, the Government promised to expand childcare from the age of nine months, but nothing has materialised. That is the half-hearted ambition. Natalie Don-Innes: 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. Last year, I met Pregnant Then Screwed to discuss the impacts that a lack of childcare can have on parents, who want the flexibility that increased childcare can offer. The Government is sensitive to those challenges. Alongside our funded 1,140 offer, we are exploring ways to expand the provision of childcare through our early adopter communities programme. We are also delivering wraparound school-age childcare services to families who are most at risk of living in poverty.”