Minutes: 06 October 2026

1. Decision on taking business in private:

The Committee agreed that consideration of its draft Pre-Budget Scrutiny 2027-28 report and consideration of all draft reports should be taken in private at future meetings.

2. Pre-budget scrutiny 2027-28:

The Committee took evidence from—

Màiri McAllan, Cabinet Secretary for Education, Culture and Gaelic, Siobhian Brown, Minister for Children, Young People and The Promise, Orlando Mason, Deputy Director, Workforce, Quality and Wellbeing, Gavin Henderson, Deputy Director, Care Experience, Children’s Services Reform and The Promise and Gordon Paterson, Unit Head, Keeping the Promise, Scottish Government.

3. Subordinate legislation:

The Committee took evidence on the Provision of Early Learning and Childcare (Specified Children) (Scotland) Amendment Order 2026 [draft] from—

Siobhian Brown, Minister for Children, Young People and The Promise, Scottish Government.

4. Subordinate legislation:

Siobhian Brown (Minister for Children, Young People and The Promise) moved—

S7M-01123—That the Education and Gaelic Committee recommends that the Provision of Early Learning and Childcare (Specified Children) (Scotland) Amendment Order 2026 [draft] be approved.

The motion was agreed to.

5. Work programme (In Private):

The Committee considered and agreed its work programme.