Part of the debate – in the Scottish Parliament at on 26 October 2023.
The First Minister:
I saw that report, and I thank Pregnant Then Screwed for the information that it provided in its report. That is why I was keen to put on record that we recognise that there are challenges, particularly in the PVI sector. We all recognise that in our conversations with the private, voluntary and independent sector. That is why we will be providing funding to increase pay to £12 an hour for staff who deliver ELC provision.
I go back to the point that I made to Meghan Gallacher a moment ago. Independent research—I stress the word “independent”—shows that 88 per cent of parents with a three to five-year-old were satisfied that they could access childcare in a way that meets their needs.
However, I recognise the point that the member raises about the sustainability of the sector, and that is why I am absolutely committed to working with the PVI sector to ensure that we have a sustainable ELC provision.
Ministers make up the Government and almost all are members of the House of Lords or the House of Commons. There are three main types of Minister. Departmental Ministers are in charge of Government Departments. The Government is divided into different Departments which have responsibilities for different areas. For example the Treasury is in charge of Government spending. Departmental Ministers in the Cabinet are generally called 'Secretary of State' but some have special titles such as Chancellor of the Exchequer. Ministers of State and Junior Ministers assist the ministers in charge of the department. They normally have responsibility for a particular area within the department and are sometimes given a title that reflects this - for example Minister of Transport.
