Skip to main content
Loading…

Chamber and committees

Education, Children and Young People Committee


Minutes: 18 February 2026

Wednesday, 18 February 2026

7th Meeting, 2026

Start time:09:15am
End time: 12:26pm
Location: TG.40-CR1 The Burns Room
Published: Wednesday, 18 February 2026
Also Present:
  • Natalie Don-Innes (Minister for Children, Young People and The Promise), Roz McCall, Liz Smith, Nicola Sturgeon, Martin Whitfield.

Minutes


1. Subordinate legislation:

The Committee considered the following negative instrument—

Qualifications Scotland (Strategic Advisory Council) (Establishment) Regulations 2026


The Committee made no comment on the instrument.


2. Children (Care, Care Experience and Services Planning) (Scotland) Bill:

The Committee considered the Bill at Stage 2 (Day 3).

The following amendments were agreed to (without division): 207, 210 [AS AMENDED], 212, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85 and 220.

The following amendments were agreed to (by division)—

210A (For 9, Against 0, Abstentions 1)

219 (For 9, Against 1, Abstentions 0)

The following amendments were disagreed to (by division)—

116 (For 3, Against 7, Abstentions 0)

221 (For 3, Against 7, Abstentions 0)

225 (For 3, Against 7, Abstentions 0)

The following amendments were moved and, no member having objected, withdrawn: 209 and 218.

The following amendments were not moved: 208, 208A, 199, 118, 211, 213, 214, 215, 121, 122, 216, 217, 124, 222, 224, 125, 223, 123 and 86.

The following provisions were agreed to without amendment: sections 23, 24, 25, 26 and the long title.

The following provision was agreed to as amended: section 22.

The Committee completed Stage 2 consideration of the Bill.

Martin Whitfield declared an interest as a former teacher.


3. VAT and Independent Schools:

The Committee took evidence from—

Lorraine Davidson, Chief Executive, Catherine Dyer, Chair and John O'Neill, Chair of the Education and Partnership Committee, Scottish Council of Independent Schools.

Liz Smith declared an interest as a former Governor of two independent schools and has undertaken work with independent and state schools on outdoor education.


4. Evidence Session (In Private):

Item not taken.


Share this page