Roz McCall
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party · Scotland
“That restraint and seclusion have been used inconsistently and without parents being told is worrying, and that is exactly what the bill hopes to address. When parents find out what has happened to their child only because of bruises, distress and changes in behaviour, that is not just a failure to communicate; it is a failure of trust.”
“Beth Morrison and Kate Sanger have been mentioned by absolutely everyone who has contributed to the debate, which shows just how much work they have done to contact every single one of us, to lobby us and to highlight how important the legislation is.”
“Further discussion is not needed—decisive action is. The recommendations in the “Strengthening the Safety Net” report talk about having a national adoption practice model, improved training, mandatory data collection, enhanced crisis intervention and a more flexible adoption allowance.”
“Other areas of concern include the robust transfer of post-adoption support from a specialist adoption team to generic children and families services after three years. In theory, that might seem to be administratively tidy, but in practice it fails to reflect the complexity and longevity of adoptive family life.”
“I thank Fulton MacGregor for bringing the motion to the chamber and for continuing to highlight the importance of strengthening adoption support for families across Scotland.”
“My very first debate on this issue when I became an MSP was a members’ business debate on Scotland’s forgotten children, focusing on adoption in Scotland and the urgent need to improve post- adoption support.”
The complete record
Every one of 585 lines we hold for Roz McCall, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 9 of 12.
“Maggie Chapman was right to point to the extra funding that has been provided in the Government’s budget in relation to teacher numbers—that funding has been uprated—and the funding for additional support needs. That is a political choice that the Government has made in protecting funding nationally, and it follows that local councils should do likewise. I was therefore very pleased that, through the budget negotiations, we managed to arrive at a budget agreement with COSLA on that point. I come to some of the points that Ms Duncan- Glancy made. The Labour amendment speaks to a national supply system, and I very much agree with her on that point. We currently have 32 councils with 32 different approaches to recruitment.”
“I have been listening very keenly to members’ contributions and, although I am conscious that I have only four minutes, I will try to respond to as many points as I am able to in that time. George Adam talked about solutions, and some members made suggestions in that respect, which I want to address. However, more broadly, when we talk about teacher recruitment shortages, we should be mindful that that is not just an issue in relation to STEM-based subjects, although I accept that that is the focus of today’s motion. There are challenges in a number of subject areas, including mine, so we need to reflect on the position of teaching in the post-pandemic period and its attractiveness as a profession, which was the point that I was making in my initial speech. As we all know, teachers are the most valuable resource in our schools.”
“Until that situation is fixed, why would anyone want to work in that environment? It is a fundamental Conservative belief that education is the key to the ability of every person to go on to achieve their full potential. Education is not only a powerful thing; it is power—power in oneself, power that comes from understanding and belief, and power that comes through the ability to work through problems and to know that one will provide oneself with a secure future. Quite simply, we have reached a teaching crisis in Scotland. The Scottish Government is so focused on promoting the same old solutions that do not work that it has failed our teachers, our children and Scotland’s future. 15:48 Jenny Gilruth: I welcome this debate and I share some of the sentiments that have been expressed.”
“I agree that it is about doing that; it is not about stating what the blockages are, where the problems are and the ways in which we are not moving forward. We are better than that. As I said in my speech in October, teachers go to work hoping to impart the love of their subject to children, but in Scotland most teachers and school staff are witnessing and being subjected to considerable instances of negative behaviour. Our teachers are exposed to increasing levels of violence, and the plans that have been put in place are simply not working fast enough. We need details of the consequences that the perpetrators of that abuse will experience, as that is important with regard to providing our teaching staff with the tools that they need to address those issues.”
“Those involve external issues and highlight a financial problem, but it is not just the financial side that we need to consider; the working environment is also important, and, as Mr Whitfield said, there are challenges in that regard. Jackie Dunbar highlighted the need for more graduates in STEM subjects to become teachers. However, as Alex Rowley stated perfectly well, that decision is not just based on salary but involves a consideration of stress, behaviour in our classrooms and contact hours. Pam Duncan-Glancy and Miles Briggs highlighted the workforce planning challenges that we face in our classrooms, especially with regard to ASN staffing, and George Adam said that the solution involves working to find solutions—I think that that is the word that he used.”
“Last year, the numbers of graduates who are enrolled in PGDE secondary teaching courses involving English and biology were about half the numbers required, and the numbers in chemistry, physics, maths and computing are all sitting at about a third of the targets that were set. What about primary education? A recent Institute for Fiscal Studies report states: “There are also some worrying signs of the impact of this government and council misalignment on newly-qualified teachers in Scotland.” The share of newly qualified primary school teachers who had permanent contracts in state schools has fallen from 57.6 per cent to 12.8 per cent. That is not a position that we want Scotland to be in. Maggie Chapman spoke about inflation issues and council tax concerns.”
“We ended up with £186.5 million in ring-fenced funding for local authorities, which has not adequately stopped the decline in teacher numbers, and targets for new teachers have not been met. That is an unacceptable situation. Teacher numbers, including for early learning and childcare staff, have decreased by 1,688, and the numbers of teachers in maths, computing science, technical education and physics are all down. What about those teachers who have graduated and are looking for permanent positions? In 2016-17, more than half the post- probation teachers found full-time employment, but by 2023-24 less than a quarter did.”
“First, Presiding Officer, I apologise to you, Mr Rennie and the chamber for the fact that I arrived late to the debate this afternoon. I am pleased to be the closing speaker for the Conservatives in this debate, and I thank our Liberal Democrat colleagues for bringing the issue to the chamber. We last debated teacher numbers last October, in Conservative Party business time. Disappointingly, seven months on, the figures, percentages and problems that we discussed then are still current. Despite the Scottish Government’s protestations, nothing that it has done has worked. Everything that we discussed and highlighted as an issue in October is still an issue.”
“To ask the Scottish Government whether it will take action to deter wildlife crime on beaches, particularly over the summer months. (S6O- 04705)”
“On how many children are placed in secure care or have not been able to get a place, the Scottish Government does not routinely hold case-specific information on that—I believe that I gave the same answer to Roz McCall in response to her question on my previous statement. However, I assure her that every single child’s case is assessed on a case-by-case basis to ensure the safety of that child and of the other children in the secure care estate. That will continue as we go on. I highlight that we have four spaces, and I am looking to augment that further.”
“Is she still of the view that overprovision would run contrary to the Promise? Will there be tangible change in the statement that we are getting next month? Natalie Don-Innes: I thank Roz McCall for her questions. I do not agree with the sentiment that we are in the same position that we were in when I delivered my first statement on the issue. I have been very open and transparent with the Parliament. I have recognised the issues, and we have taken direct action. I have laid out progress in every single statement that I have made to the Parliament. Although I appreciate that there are still on-going issues, I am committed to laying out, and have been very open and honest with the Parliament in doing so, the routes that we are exploring at the moment. They might not all come to fruition, but this Government is taking action.”
“The four-bed national contingency resource in Rossie was supposed to alleviate the pressure on the system—there are four beds, but there were four places available this morning. We were told that St Mary’s Kenmure will be returning to increased capacity, but that there are still staffing issues. This is now the third statement on the matter in a few months, and we are stuck in exactly the same position as we were in at the beginning: a secure care system that is bursting at the seams and is unable to deliver what was promised during the passage of the Children (Care and Justice) (Scotland) Act 2024. My questions are simple. Will the minister finally confirm to the chamber, at the third time of asking, how many children in the past six months have been unable to be placed in secure care?”
“I thank the minister for advance sight of her statement. I note that the purpose of today’s statement was to reassure members of the Scottish Government’s focus on secure accommodation capacity and to maintain the commitment to the highest standards of care across the system. However, I am not convinced that the statement has done either of those things. There are so many things in the statement that worry me. There is a reliance on the whole family wellbeing fund, which varies per local authority. There have been minimal changes in the court process. There has been a reduction in the number of children who have been taken into care, which is said by many to be delaying proper support. Despite a drive last year, there has still been no substantial change in the number of foster carers.”
“Resourcing decisions to deliver agreed outcomes need to be based on a clearer understanding of pupils’ additional support needs.” Surely, if the range of needs is broad and diverse, the training, funding and understanding must be, too. I support the request for the current system of ASN provision to be reviewed to ensure that we are providing adequate support for our young people and halting the inequality that is failing too many Scots. Oil and Gas Industry”
“Children might need learning support because they are autistic or because they have motor or sensory impairments. As Ross Greer mentioned, that is a massive range, and the range of support needed in our mainstream classrooms is vast. The Audit Scotland report states: “the Scottish Government has not planned effectively for the potential impact of this inclusive approach to ASL. It is not specifically reflected in funding formulas for education and education planning, such as training for teachers and support staff, class sizes and the design of school buildings.” It goes on to state: “From existing data, it is not possible to conclude whether levels of funding, staffing levels and mix are appropriate to meet current needs.”
“However, I come back to the point that resources and training in our education processes are very important in ensuring that we get the pathways right. In the motion, Miles Briggs highlighted the importance of having our local authorities and COSLA included in the discussion. We need a call to action, and we need clear timescales. Fulton MacGregor highlighted kindergarten, and he will not get an argument from me on that. That our children are ready to learn is vital, and that focus in early years education is fundamental. It is more important than ever that we review ASN in our schools. Children present as having a need for additional support if they have learning difficulties such as dyslexia, dyscalculia or dyspraxia. Additional support is also required if a young person has a mental health issue such as anxiety or depression.”
“We need to have a system that is working, and a review is certainly a way to achieve that. Pam Duncan-Glancy highlighted that the system can work—she is testament to that herself—and that that comes from having strong staff and strong teachers, which is so important. Willie Rennie highlighted the shift from having a presumption of mainstreaming to more of a “compulsion of mainstreaming”. That is a very interesting phrase, and it is a model that does not work for every child. That was also highlighted by my colleague Liz Smith, who said that although the policy was based on getting it right for every child, we are not doing that. Karen Adam made an exceptionally strong contribution to the debate.”
“Yes, we can applaud the continued improvements in recording and identifying ASN and the introduction of additional need types, but if we do not put the correct processes in place all of that recording and identifying is for naught. Ninety-three per cent of the almost 285,000 pupils spent all their time in mainstream classes. If we are going to have a presumption of mainstreaming in Scotland, it is incumbent on the Scottish Government to ensure adequate staffing levels, processes, funding and support for pupils and teachers alike. Unfortunately, that is not happening. I will take a moment to draw attention to some of the contributions to the debate. In response to Richard Leonard and Ross Greer, I note that a review of support for the presumption of mainstreaming does not suggest a return to the old ways.”
“We are debating education during Conservative party business time again, which proves that our priorities are the same as those of any parent, grandparent or carer who wants a system that works for their child, not against them; who wants a constructive education model that will empower their child to achieve, not doom them to fail; and who wants a support process that understands the needs of their particular child, not a tick-box exercise that works for a limited few. The statistics highlight the scale of the issue of additional support for learning in our schools. As of 2024, the figures show that 284,448 pupils had an additional support need, which, as has been said, is 40.5 per cent of all pupils. The number has increased markedly since 2010, and there continue to be year-on-year increases.”
“I am delighted to close this Scottish Conservative business debate, especially as the issue is so important. On the cabinet secretary’s final point, which was about another review, our options to get action, as an Opposition party, are slightly limited, so a review it happens to be. However, I welcome her offer of a round table and action on the issue. We will look forward to that.”
“Last week, I noted that a couple of schools in Edinburgh are now moving forward with full bans. That follows a policy approach that I think has been adopted by Perth and Kinross Council. Schools are now looking at the national approach, which empowers headteachers to take the decision to ban mobile phones, and decisions are being rolled out across the country. That is the approach that works best in Scotland. Because there are shared legal responsibilities, as cabinet secretary, I cannot enforce a national ban, but I can set out very clear national guidance that empowers headteachers to choose to ban mobile phones if they see fit. I think that it is welcome news that we are starting to see real progress to that end.”
“Jenny Gilruth: I very much agree with the sentiment of the member’s question, although I am not sure that I have taken two and a half years to come to the conclusion that consequences are required in our schools. As someone who taught in the classroom, I know that consequences and rules are very important in delivering education, especially when trying to do so to a large group of unruly young people. On the member’s point about the connection between mobile phone use and behaviour, it is absolutely true that those things are linked. I agree with her on that. I made one reference to the updated mobile phone guidance in my statement, but I did not explicitly refer to the connection with behaviour. I reassure the member that I absolutely accept that those things are linked.”
“I welcome the fact that the cabinet secretary has come to the conclusion—two and a half years after we first mentioned the issue—that consequences are an essential part of a supportive learning environment. We have recently heard about examples of headteachers who have taken decisions to limit mobile phone use in classrooms, but I note that the statement did not fully address the connection between mobile phone use and behaviour. Does the cabinet secretary agree that the use of such devices to access unchecked content is contributing to aggressive behaviour among some pupils in our schools, and that that issue needs to be highlighted?”
“Our communities and our children deserve better; stroke survivors and families who are living with Huntington’s disease deserve better; and our mental health services staff and those whom they serve cannot wait any longer. 17:23”
“I hope that the Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport will take the opportunity tonight to join me in opposing those cuts and commit to ensuring that families that are affected with Huntington’s disease in Scotland receive the support, including specialist mental health care, that they so desperately need. In conclusion, I applaud the incredible work of the Mental Health Foundation, SAMH, Place2Be, the See Me campaign and the many other charities, organisations and grass-roots groups that work tirelessly to raise awareness and provide services where the state so often falls short. Support at the right time, in particular through early intervention, transforms outcomes, and I urge the Scottish Government—not for the first time—to take responsibility for the issue once and for all.”
“I also highlight Huntington’s disease, which is a rare but cruel genetic condition that devastates families, affecting people physically, cognitively and mentally. Scotland is believed to have one of the highest rates of Huntington’s disease in the world and yet, despite that, some integration joint boards are now proposing to cut funding for the Scottish Huntington’s Association, which would effectively end specialist Huntington’s disease support services in those areas. That decision would be not only heartless, but a dereliction of duty.”
“That correlates with United Kingdom-wide research in 2019, which found that three quarters of stroke survivors experienced mental health difficulties ranging from loss of confidence, anxiety, depression and, tragically, suicidal thoughts. Stroke is not only a physical event. It changes every aspect of a person’s life, including their independence, relationships, employment and sense of self, and yet psychological aftercare is patchy at best. Although the Scottish Government’s “Stroke Improvement Plan 2023” rightly identified psychological care as a priority, the delivery of that care remains shockingly poor. Measured against the standard red-amber-green rankings, most health boards remain stubbornly in the red or amber categories, and that is simply unacceptable.”
“It is the front line of early help and prevention, and withdrawing that commitment has left countless people facing delays, deterioration and, in some cases, tragic outcomes. I also want to address a vital, and often overlooked, dimension of mental health provision. Too often, when we discuss mental health, we forget the devastating psychological impact of certain physical health conditions. I highlight two in particular: stroke and Huntington’s disease. As the deputy convener of the cross-party group on stroke, I have heard all too often about the profound life-altering impact that stroke can have on mental health. The Stroke Association’s latest figures for my region, which covers three health boards, show that 70 to 75 per cent of people who suffered a stroke in 2023 were likely to experience mental health issues.”
“Scottish Action for Mental Health, in its briefing for tonight’s debate, highlighted that the number of people in Scotland reporting a mental health problem has more than doubled since 2011—it is up from 4.4 per cent to 11.3 per cent in the most recent census. Even more harrowing is the rise in probable suicide deaths, which increased again last year, to 792 lives lost. Statutory mental health services are stretched to breaking point. For too many people, those services, despite being underresourced and overburdened, remain the only available support when they reach crisis. That is why it was deeply disappointing that the Scottish Government abandoned its 2021 commitment for every general practice to have access to a multidisciplinary mental health and wellbeing service. Primary care access to mental health support is essential.”
“Its services show that one-to-one counselling in primary schools makes a measurable difference, with 70 per cent of primary school children reporting improved mental health outcomes, alongside better classroom learning for 55 per cent of children and improved behaviour for up to 57 per cent of pupils. We recognise the importance of early interventions in almost every other area of public policy, so why is the mental health of our youngest children still being treated as an afterthought? The outcomes are obvious and the benefits are clear, so it is utterly unacceptable that, in 2025, we are still failing to act. Turning to adult mental health provision, the picture is equally concerning.”
“While funding exists for counselling services in secondary schools and children aged over 10 in primary schools, there is no equivalent therapeutic mental health support available for children below that age. However, the Scottish Government’s own pandemic wellbeing study showed that almost 20 per cent of five to seven-year-olds were already experiencing mental health difficulties, with the figure rising to 23 per cent for eight to 11-year- olds. Those are our youngest children, and almost a quarter of them are struggling before they even reach secondary school. One in four children is experiencing mental health difficulties by the age of 11, and the Scottish Government’s existing provision is quite simply too little, too late. The evidence from Place2Be could not be clearer.”
“For those who are living with mental health challenges, that sense of belonging can be quite literally life saving. However, although awareness campaigns are valuable, the truth is that, without adequate services to back up such campaigns, those who are affected by mental health issues are being left behind. I will focus my remarks on the current state of mental health provision in Scotland, for both adults and children, and on raising serious concerns about underfunding, service cuts and a lack of coherent, joined-up provision, in particular in the Mid Scotland and Fife region, which I am proud to represent. I begin with children’s mental health and early years support, which is—as members will know— a particular passion of mine. There remains a significant gap in provision for children in primary schools.”
“I am pleased to use members’ business time this evening to debate an ever-growing and increasingly urgent issue in our society. I thank members on all sides of the chamber for supporting my motion and enabling us to discuss these matters today. As the motion mentions, mental health awareness week runs from 12 to 18 May, and I welcome the vital work that is undertaken by the Mental Health Foundation in driving the annual campaign. This year’s theme is community, reminding us of something profoundly important: the simple human need to feel connected and to know that we belong, and to understand that, however difficult the circumstances, we are not alone. We all recognise the value of strong, supportive communities and meaningful connections to other people.”
“In conclusion, I acknowledge the work that has been done, as far as it goes, and as much as we might have concerns about the part of it that goes in the wrong direction of downgrading, I stress the urgency of moving forward at pace with the staffing and accommodation aspects. For every child who deserves to have the best start in neonatal care, we, in this place, should ensure that the correct staffing levels are in place to guarantee that that happens. For every parent who has to deal with emotional stress when they should be rejoicing in the birth of their beautiful child, we, in this place, should minimise the additional stress factors as much as possible. For every family facing this situation, we, in this place, should ensure that there is clarity and commitment for the future. That is the very least that we can do. 18:13”
“The stress that I mentioned in my opening remarks can be only heightened when distances and lack of family support are factored into the emotional mix. The costs involved will be prohibitive, with accommodation, food and travel costs all having to be met, especially as getting funding for those costs, although welcome, is a cumbersome process. I hope that the minister will take on board the recommendations from the Bliss briefing, not only to address the staffing and residential shortfalls but to provide a much-needed timetable for the implementation of the agreed neonatal model.”
“I thank Bliss for giving me sight of its briefing for today’s debate. It was really worrying to read of an 88 per cent shortfall in Scotland between the recommended AHPPP—or allied health professionals and psychological and pharmacy professionals—staffing levels in units and the staffing levels that are being achieved. That is 20 per cent worse than the UK average, and I hope that the minister will address that particular issue in her closing remarks. Another worrying statistic in the briefing concerns accommodation. The briefing highlights that, for every 10 babies needing to stay overnight in a unit, there is only one room for a parent to stay with them. That means that parents are routinely separated overnight from their newborn during their time in neonatal care.”
“They put all their trust and hopes in the skills of the highly trained staff, knowing that they are in no position to provide the levels of care that are needed. Their beautiful new baby is suffering, but there is nothing that they can do about it. The feeling of helplessness must be overwhelming. I have not had to experience that situation, but I think that we can all empathise with the panic and stress that must arise from it. It is what led to the review of the best start new model of neonatal care, the report of which was published back in 2017, and reaffirmed by the minister in 2023. We might have concerns about the downgrading of some of the neonatal units, but we are halfway through 2025 and so much more still needs to be done, with staffing levels and accommodation for parents still needing intense focus.”
“I am happy to speak on this important topic, and I congratulate my colleague, Meghan Gallacher, on bringing the debate to the chamber. What could be more important to a country than providing the best start in life for all children? I cannot imagine the fear and anxiety that any parent will experience when they find out that their baby will be delivered before the due date and will need specialist neonatal care to help them thrive— or even, unfortunately, to survive. Nonetheless, that is the case for one in seven babies born in the UK. What that means is that approximately 5,200 babies are admitted to neonatal units in Scotland every year, and that more than 5,000 families are facing the worst circumstances for their newly born baby that they can imagine.”
“To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the latest “Quarterly Economic Indicator” from the Scottish Chambers of Commerce and the Fraser of Allander Institute, which reportedly shows a business landscape that is characterised by flatlining demand, stalling investment and labour cost pressures. (S6O-04581)”
“A range of actions are being taken to improve costs for families and to improve our offer in Scotland, and I will continue to look for ways to improve things further.”
“As for the issues that the member raises around funding for providers, I have been clear that paying sustainable rates to funded providers is critical in ensuring that childcare is affordable for families and that private, voluntary and independent providers do not have to pass on any extra costs to families. That is why, in 2025-26, we are making available a further £9.7 million to enable childcare staff who are delivering funded hours in the private and third sectors to continue to be paid at least the real living wage. We are the only country in the United Kingdom to do so. I am also taking on further work regarding sustainable rates in our cost collection exercise with the Diffley Partnership.”
“Nurseries are essential in ensuring that children get the best start in life and in helping parents to return to work. However, the SNP Government’s refusal to properly address the issues with its funding model has now come back on it, and it is working families who are suffering. In England, funding is available for working families with children from nine months old. My question is simple: when will the Scottish Government take swift and decisive action, change course and support Scottish working families? Natalie Don-Innes: I have made it clear that our offer in Scotland is to ensure equity for all Scotland’s children.”
“That point was echoed by Lloyd Austin of Scottish Environment LINK, who spoke about how the lack of detail in financial memorandums for framework legislation presents a scrutiny challenge for stakeholders. If we cannot adequately scrutinise the money needed for legislation, we run the risk of passing laws simply without there being sufficient funds to achieve the outcomes that they are designed for. All the policy decisions, discussions, debate and amendments throughout the legislative process will be for naught if insufficient funds are allocated. I see that recommendation by the committee as sacrosanct.”
“Secondly, the committee suggested that all financial memorandums should include an estimate of any costs arising from delegated powers provisions, based on how those powers are expected to be, or might be, used by the Administration, and it called on the Scottish Government to keep committees updated throughout the legislative process about the estimated costs arising from a bill. I will expand slightly on the financial memorandum issue, which is one not only for the Finance and Public Administration Committee, whose convener, Kenny Gibson, highlighted in his evidence how framework legislation presents a significant challenge to effective financial scrutiny.”
“The committee has made some very sensible and achievable recommendations for the Scottish Government. I will highlight a couple of notable suggestions. First, the committee considers that legislation should, except in very limited circumstances, be set out in a high degree of detail. The minister mentioned that. In the very limited circumstances when a framework approach is taken, it is essential that, when the bill is introduced, there is a full justification of why framework provision is appropriate.”
“We heard evidence along the lines of, “We don’t know how to define it, but we know it’s happening and we think it probably shouldn’t,” or, “We have concerns that it produces bad law, but we know it works some of the time.” Some told us, “We think framework bills should have a narrow scope but, equally, allow for flexibility.” Finally, some said, “We don’t really know how best to change it, but we think it needs changed.” Members have to admit that that is an interesting remit at the commencement of an inquiry. Given that starting point, I am delighted with the work that the committee managed to do to get into the minutia and to reach the roots of problems that stem from the lack of detail in bills and from the inadequate funding set out in financial memorandums as a result of that lack of detail.”
“It has been suggested that it provides supposed flexibility in allowing legislation to be amended without the lengthy process of ensuring that every detail is written in the bill, and in making it more adaptable to societal change and helping with delivery. However, that comes with the downside of less Parliament scrutiny and a vagueness in the accompanying financial memorandum. Most people who gave evidence to the committee pretty much agreed that there had been a steady increase—or a supposed increase—in the number of framework or skeleton bills, which was certainly an interesting starting point.”
“I am delighted to open this committee debate on behalf of the Scottish Conservatives and to note the report that the Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee produced following its inquiry into framework legislation and Henry VIII powers. I know that it has been said that this is a dry and dusty topic, but I actually find it extremely interesting. I thank everyone who took the time to respond to the call for views or to provide evidence for the inquiry. As the convener has said, our thanks also go to the clerks and the legal team for their support and hard work throughout the process. The inquiry came about because there has been a steady rise—or the perception of such a rise—in the utilisation of secondary legislation as a convenient way of passing laws.”
“However, some local authorities have chosen to have those earlier start dates, having found that that works for their local area and their families. I assure members that I have heard the concerns that have been raised in the chamber and that I will continue to consider the issue alongside other issues in relation to our ELC offering. The Deputy Presiding Officer: Question 5 was withdrawn. Higher Education (Edinburgh) 6.”
“I raised this issue with the minister in the chamber last May. In her response, she advised me that she would certainly take it away and consider it. However, as we have just heard, families across Scotland are faced with a postcode lottery when it comes to accessing 1,140 hours of funded childcare. When the Scottish Government looked into the issue, what information did it find? What has it done to rectify it in the past year? Natalie Don-Innes: I have been very clear that the issue is for local authorities, which are best placed to meet the needs of their local communities and to understand what is required. The legislation was originally designed in that way to enable smaller groups of children to start at phased points in the year and to help to keep the system more manageable and sustainable.”