Funded Childcare (Expansion)

Part of the debate – in the Scottish Parliament at on 11 March 2020.

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Photo of Keith Brown Keith Brown Scottish National Party

There is no question but that the Audit Scotland report raises concerns, and that is quite right. Members have raised concerns in the chamber, and that is quite right, too. It is their right to challenge the Government on the policy. However, the Tory party’s motion is nothing more than a poorly disguised hit job on a policy that will be transformative for the children who live in this country. The motion is designed to unduly worry and concern families across Scotland, as if they did not have enough to worry and be concerned about as things stand.

Nothing in the Audit Scotland report suggests that the expansion to 1,140 funded hours cannot be delivered on time, yet the Tories in this Parliament see fit to undermine the significant progress that is being made to introduce a bold and hugely progressive policy that will almost double the amount of childcare that is available for two, three and four-year-olds. It will be double the amount that is currently on offer to hard-working families in England from the Tory UK Government.

It is easy for the Tories to cherry pick from the Audit Scotland report, completely ignoring the fact that it clearly states that

The Scottish Government and councils are making steady progress to deliver the expansion of funded early learning and childcare” and that we are on course to meet

“plans to deliver the increased hours by August 2020.”

Jamie Greene’s motion raises concerns about buildings. In terms of infrastructure, we are ahead of what councils predicted this time last year, with 40 per cent of all projects being completed, providing over 6,000 new places for children. Additionally, the Scottish Government has already implemented the Audit Scotland recommendation on contingency planning.