Chamber and committees

Good morning. I welcome the opportunity to further discuss Liz Smith’s member’s bill with the committee and to set out the work that I have undertaken to consider the areas of outstanding concern that have been identified by the Government and, importantly, by the committee in its stage 1 report. I also welcome the opportunity to reiterate the Scottish Government’s support for outdoor learning, including residential education, and the work that we are already delivering to improve provision and access.

We recognise the important role that is played by residential outdoor education in a young person’s development. Our support for such experiences and for all forms of outdoor learning is reflected in our learning for sustainability action plan. Our Scottish outdoor learning strategic working group has worked over the past year to develop recommendations on how we and our education delivery partners can further strengthen inclusive provision and access. Part of that group’s consideration included discussion around the valuable work that is under way by the Association of Heads of Outdoor Education Centres and the Scottish Advisory Panel for Outdoor Education, with the support of Education Scotland, to develop a new quality residential framework. The group is due to report to me shortly.

The curriculum improvement cycle, which is led by Education Scotland, is already delivering systemic change and ensuring that key themes and the context of learning, including sustainability and outdoor learning, are strengthened across the three-to-18 curriculum. Members of the national outdoor learning strategic working group have been informing that work. We are also funding partners to ensure the on-going delivery of specific learning for sustainability activities and outdoor learning programmes. We are providing resources to support practitioners, including the essential “Going Out There” guidance, which we have worked to maintain with the Scottish Advisory Panel for Outdoor Education. The guidance helps schools keep off-site visits safe for all children and young people, and, importantly, for staff. Education Scotland is working with the Association of Heads of Outdoor Education Centres and the Scottish Advisory Panel for Outdoor Education to develop a training resource for outdoor centre instructors and support staff so that children’s experiences are impactful and enjoyable while also being tied to education outcomes.

All that work in the delivery of residential outdoor education in many local authorities is taking place—and will continue to take place—without any specific statutory requirements.

Liz Smith has been pivotal in raising awareness of the benefits and value of residential outdoor education for children and young people through her member’s bill. Her leadership on the bill has brought to the fore issues that relate to inclusion, affordability and deliverability. I have been seeking to address those key issues since stage 1, liaising with members, key stakeholders—particularly the teaching trade unions—and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities.

I am happy to take questions and to update the committee further on that work.

Yes.

If that was the impression that I gave, I apologise to the committee. I have been given advice that we are not at the appropriate time to be producing amendments, because of the decision on the financial resolution. If I gave the impression that I would be bringing forward amendments, it was with my intention to discuss potential proposed amendments.

I have given you my—

No, but, as I say, I have received advice, which I am happy to bring legal officers in on, to—

No—sorry—

I can bring in Lewis Hedge to provide further clarity.

That is not what I am suggesting, Mr Ross. I am suggesting that I cannot give that information to the committee just now. As I said, there is a date by which the decision must be made, and I am committing to ensuring that I inform the member in charge, the committee and Parliament about the decision that is taken. However, I cannot provide any more information about when that decision will be made at this moment in time.

I understand the significance of the situation, and I do not want to pre-empt any decision on the financial resolution. What I can say is that the financial resolution is a legitimate and important process that ensures that ministers can exercise our unique responsibility and accountability for the Scottish budget. As I said in the debate last night, that power is not unique to Scotland. The Welsh and United Kingdom Governments have similar powers. As I said, it is a legitimate and important process.

As I made clear during the stage 1 debate and in my engagement following it, the Government and the committee have raised legitimate concerns about the affordability of the bill. Those concerns remain unresolved, which is why we need to consider the issue. As I have said, the process is in place to allow the Scottish ministers final control over the Scottish budget, so—