Chamber and committees

I want to ask about the Scottish education exchange programme. Certainly, our losing Erasmus+ was a massive blow, so SEEP is much needed.

The committee took evidence on the Welsh Taith learning exchange programme and we were impressed by that. Is that programme influencing SEEP? Are they broadly similar, or are there any big differences? Are you able to offer any further detail on SEEP just now?

Is there a timeline in mind for the roll-out of the programme? When is that likely to happen?

That is helpful. That collaborative approach and flexibility are incredibly important going forward.

Will the Scottish Government fully fund SEEP? If not, how much will institutions and other partners be expected to contribute to it? Do you have any ideas about that at the moment?

That is all right. I am happy for anyone else to come in.

It is critical to have that framework at this point in time.

Thank you.

I thank the panel for all the information that you have given us already. We have heard about some fundamental disagreements around funding levels and ring fencing. How confident do you feel about a fiscal framework being agreed between the Scottish Government and councils in the next few months? We can start with Kirsty Flanagan.

The Verity house agreement was strong on multiyear certainty, but we do not see that in this budget and financial circular. What impact does that lack of multiyear funding have on local authorities and their partners? How does it impact on the workforce and service delivery?

It sounds as though there is quite a bit of discussion to be had between local government and national Government to sort this out and find a solution that works for everyone.

I declare that, until 2022, I was a local councillor at South Lanarkshire Council.