Scottish Attainment Challenge

Part of the debate – in the Scottish Parliament at on 18 May 2022.

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Photo of Pam Gosal Pam Gosal Conservative

I am delighted to close the debate on behalf of the Scottish Conservatives. I will speak in support of the Labour motion and the amendment in the name of my colleague Oliver Mundell.

We have heard many speeches and, given the tight timing, I will not be able to mention them all. It is clear from the mood among members in the chamber, with the exception of SNP and Green members, that removing the targeted approach will not help the children who most need help.

It is not surprising that we have been reminded about Nicola Sturgeon’s top priority, which I think that everyone here bar SNP and Green members remembers.

We have heard the same old, same old from SNP members. They have spent years sticking their heads in the sand over their failure to close the attainment gap, so it does not surprise me that nothing has changed. The First Minister declared that closing the attainment gap is a moral challenge. She was quite right, but that makes it all the more regrettable that, after seven years—