Committees produce pre-budget reports in advance of the Scottish Budget. These intend to influence the development of the Scottish Government’s spending proposals.
This year, the Education and Gaelic Committee has agreed to focus its scrutiny on two themes.
We want to explore how plans to reduce contact time in Scottish schools are progressing. We are also keen to understand and share any potential issues in delivering these plans.
The Scottish Government has said that it aims to reform the children's care system by 2030. We want to consider what progress has been made on these reforms. We are particularly interested in the work that aims to clarify funding, roles and responsibilities.
The Committee's report will be sent to the Scottish Government later in 2026.
The Committee has received the following written submissions to inform its pre-budget scrutiny for 2027-28:
Written submission from Social Work Scotland (164KB, pdf) posted 25 September 2026
Written submission from The Promise Scotland (157KB, pdf) posted 25 September 2026
Written submission from Who Cares? Scotland (457KB, pdf) posted 25 September 2026
Written submission from Association of Directors of Education in Scotland (ADES) (177KB, pdf) posted 25 September 2026
Written submission from COSLA (179KB, pdf) posted 25 September 2026
The following supplementary submission from COSLA was also received:
Supplementary written submission from COSLA (204KB, pdf) posted 02 October 2026
Written submission from Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) (163KB, pdf) posted 25 September 2026
Written submission from NASUWT (178KB, pdf) posted 25 September 2026
Written submission from School Leaders Scotland (145KB, pdf) posted 25 September 2026
Written submission from CELCIS (136KB, pdf) posted 25 September 2026
Written submission from COSLA (89KB, pdf) posted 25 September 2026
Written submission from National Social Work Agency (238KB, pdf) posted 25 September 2026
The following additional written submissions were also received to inform the Committee's pre-budget scrutiny:
Written submission from Scottish Council of Deans of Education (129KB, pdf) posted 02 October 2026
Written submission from Teacher Workforce Planning Advisory Group (103KB, pdf) posted 02 October 2026
Written submission from General Teaching Council for Scotland (218KB, pdf) posted 02 October 2026
The Committee undertook pre-budget scrutiny at the following meetings:
The Committee has sent and received the following correspondence during the inquiry:
Letter from the Minister for Children, Young People and The Promise to the Convener, 29 September 2026