Millions of pounds given to Midlothian Council from the Scottish Government to help pay for early learning care is going unspent.
Figures from a letter to the Scottish Parliament Education Committee has shown that of the £5.8 million doled out to Midlothian Council between 2014/15 and 2016/17 only £3.7 million was spent, leaving an underspend of £2.1 m.
The Minister for Childcare and Early Years, Mark McDonald MSP, is said to be “disappointed” at these figures whilst Jeremy Balfour MSP has called on the local authority and the Government to explain where this money is going.
Detailed figures are attached at the foot of this release.
Commenting Jeremy Balfour, MSP for Lothian and Scottish Conservative Childcare and Early Years Spokesperson said:
“The Children and Young People’s act established a minimum entitlement of 600 hours of free early learning and childcare for all three and four year olds. Local authorities are tasked with the delivery of this right, and the Scottish Government has made additional funding available to councils.
“However, it has been revealed that Midlothian Council underspent this budget by 37%. They are not alone in this, as nearly every other local authority across Scotland is doing likewise.
“Nonetheless, the Scottish Government must explain what they are doing to ensure that funding is being distributed to the correct areas to deliver maximum benefit to children and parents.
“Ensuring that parents have access to quality and affordable childcare is incredibly important for our labour market productivity, and failing to properly support this initiative will result in fewer parents returning to employment.”