Current Petitions

PE1114, by Gillian Vance, on behalf of the Galloway Childcare Company, calls on the Parliament to urge the Government to conduct a review of its child care strategy to ensure that there is adequate funding to provide for child care services in all local authorities. The petition is one of several that are before us that have been in the system for a while. Are there any views? We have received several similar petitions. The Government has produced an early years framework, which we hope will shape the quality of services. There will always be a debate about how to define the word "adequate" and about how the resources get to local authorities. However, the Government needs to meet the petitioner and Voluntary Organisations Influencing Childcare Environments to discuss the future provision and funding of child care services.I recommend that we close the petition on the ground that a broad framework is in place. However, we will encourage the Government to enter into dialogue with the petitioner.

That is appropriate—sorry for that oversight. Contrary to what people might think, it was not deliberate. Although we have barneys in the Parliament on various issues, there is broad agreement among the parties on the early years framework, because we know the value of investment in the early years and that it can provide opportunities for youngsters. Taking on board those points and the recommendation that dialogue should take place, do members agree to close the petition?Members indicated agreement.