Wishaw MSP and Labour candidate clash over lack of funding in town dailyrecord.co.uk - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from dailyrecord.co.uk Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
John Swinney has indicated he will consider the possibility even as nationwide coronavirus restrictions continue. The Education Secretary’s suggestion comes after Nicola Sturgeon unveiled plans to begin a phased return to campuses from February 22, with some S4-6 students set to go back on a parttime basis for the completion of essential practical tasks. Mr Swinney has since clarified that the First Minister was referring to activities such as woodwork. It is hoped P1-3 youngsters, as well as those in early learning and childcare, will be able to return full-time from the same date. Final decisions are to be confirmed in two weeks’ time and will depend on continued progress in suppressing Covid-19.
Campaigners are demanding urgent funding for all families seeking to defer a child’s entry to P1 amid concerns some have essentially been “forced” to send youngsters to school at the age of only 4. Currently, the youngest children - those with a January or February birth date - are eligible for an additional year of funded early learning and childcare (ELC) when a parent has exercised the statutory right to delay enrolment. Local authorities then decide if others qualify. However, from August 2023 that decision will no longer be taken by councils and all children who have not reached the age of five by the start of the school session will be given the same automatic entitlement to a further year of funded ELC.
Redress Bill waiver still a ‘betrayal’ of abuse survivors, campaigner claims
The Bill is currently at stage two in Holyrood (Dominic Lipinski/PA)
Survivors of child abuse still feel a waiver built into a new Bill to compensate them is a “betrayal”, a campaigner has said.
The Redress for Survivors (Historical Child Abuse in Care) (Scotland) Bill is currently at stage two in the Scottish Parliament and would give financial compensation to survivors.
However, as part of the Bill, survivors would have to sign a waiver saying they would not pursue further legal action against care providers after they have received the payment.