Chamber and committees

Do you think that there is a risk for the bill if the suggested hearings system changes do not happen first?

That is really helpful. Nicola and Claire, what are your reflections on that? Why do you think that it is now unrealistic that the Promise will be met as set out in “Plan 21-24”?

One of the outcomes outlined in the Promise is that there will be coherent and cohesive action that is compliant with the UNCRC. Do you think that that is happening already?

Claire, do you have anything to add?

Good morning to the panel—I think it is still morning. Thanks again for the information that you have shared so far and for what you have sent in advance.

The oversight board says that delivering the original aims of “Plan 21-24” is no longer realistic within the timeframe. Louise, you started to set out the impact that that is having on young people and care-experienced people, noting that the issues have been known about for some time. What is your assessment of whether that is a true reflection and of why that is the case?

What is it about their current practice that they feel is restraining them?

Good morning, minister and officials. One of the points that you made earlier, minister, was about training and the ability to question people, including in situations such as this. I am sure that many members of boards, including trade union members, would want to benefit from that. However, the evidence that we have had from the Educational Institute of Scotland Further Education Lecturers Association and Unison has been that, rather than needing to improve their negotiating skills, they need the facility of time and support to be able to engage in the structures. They have also said that the machinery is not independent, so the machinery—not just the questioning—is part of the problem. Is there anything that you could do to reset that relationship and re-grow trust in the machinery?

Good morning, and thank you for the answers that you have given so far. The description that you have given us of education in your areas and the parts that you are responsible for sounds exciting—that is definitely the future that we should be gearing towards.

I want to pick up on a couple of the points that we have heard so far. Graham Hutton, in your opening remarks, you said that the status quo cannot continue, and Pauline Walker mentioned that it was having a significant impact on pupils from poorer backgrounds. Can you tell us what it is about the status quo that is causing the problem for people from poorer or disadvantaged backgrounds? What in the reforms would change that?

I thank both of you for those comprehensive answers. Do you think that the current reforms will get us to where we need to be?

It does—I appreciate that. In a similar vein, do you agree with Universities Scotland that some of the changes that you have suggested, including those that you have just described, can happen without legislative change? What decisions could be taken now around funding work-based learning or upskilling and reskilling, without legislative change?