Written Question · S3W-03596 · Session 3
Whether there is any equivalent duty on Scottish local authorities to that which the Childcare Act 2006 will place on local authorities in …
The question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is any equivalent duty on Scottish local authorities to that which the Childcare Act 2006 will place on local authorities in England to secure sufficient childcare to enable parents to work or undertake education and training leading to work and, if not, what plans it has to ensure that parents in Scotland who wish to work or study will have the same access to childcare as parents in England.
The answer
There is no statutoryduty on Scottish local authorities to provide child care for parents wishing toenter employment, training or education. Under the existing Childcare Strategy,the responsibility for ensuring that there is sufficient childcare in the area forthose parents who require it falls to local authorities, in conjunction with thelocal child care partnership. The annual Pre-School and Childcare Census providesnational data on child care provision.
There are no plansat present to make this a statutory duty in Scotland. The Scottish Government has a number of concerns about proposed welfarereforms set out in the recent green paper and has made representations to the UKGovernment on this matter.
The Scottish Governmentcurrently provides a range of supports for child care. The Grant Aided Expenditure(GAE) assessment for the Childcare Strategy amounts to over £44 million for 2007-08.In addition, the Working for Families initiative helps build up local childcareprovision. Funding of £15 million for this initiative has been allocated to a selectionof authorities for the period 2007-08. The fund aims to break down the barriersfaced by vulnerable parents entering or sustaining employment, education or training.As well as supporting parents through advice, guidance and training, the fund hashelped increase child care provision, including through the creation of sitter servicesand the development of the childminding sector.
Early years policyin general is currently under review as part of the development of a new early yearsstrategy.
There are no plansat present to make this a statutory duty in Scotland. The Scottish Government has a number of concerns about proposed welfarereforms set out in the recent green paper and has made representations to the UKGovernment on this matter.
The Scottish Governmentcurrently provides a range of supports for child care. The Grant Aided Expenditure(GAE) assessment for the Childcare Strategy amounts to over £44 million for 2007-08.In addition, the Working for Families initiative helps build up local childcareprovision. Funding of £15 million for this initiative has been allocated to a selectionof authorities for the period 2007-08. The fund aims to break down the barriersfaced by vulnerable parents entering or sustaining employment, education or training.As well as supporting parents through advice, guidance and training, the fund hashelped increase child care provision, including through the creation of sitter servicesand the development of the childminding sector.
Early years policyin general is currently under review as part of the development of a new early yearsstrategy.
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S3W-03596 by reference.