Talking-up Scotland

The former Labour branch leader asked a Parliamentary Question yesterday:

‘To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what progress it is making in increasing free childcare from 600 to 1,140 hours per year by 2020, and whether it expects to meet this target on time. (S5W-21870)‘

The answer:

‘The data for the first period (1 May 2018 to 30 September 2018) shows that over 11 000 children are already benefitting from access to more than 600 hours of ELC, including 1,100 eligible two-year olds; exceeding local authority projections. Local authorities are broadly meeting forecasts for delivery progress and remain on track to deliver. The next progress report for the period 1 October 2018 to 30 April 2019 is expected to be published in Summer 2019.’

https://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx?SearchType=Simple&DateChoice=2&SortBy=DateSubmitted&ResultsPerPage=10

Meanwhile in England:

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/early-years-nurseries-childcare-social-mobility-education-select-committee-report-mps-a8766366.html