‘Monumental effort’ needed from next Parliament to keep The Promise – Sturgeon

Former first minister Nicola Sturgeon has said it will require “monumental effort” from the next Parliament to keep The Promise as MSPs back the Bill.

The Children (Care, Care Experience and Services Planning) (Scotland) Bill was supported unanimously by MSPs with 111 votes.

The Bill is part of what is known as The Promise, in which then first minister Ms Sturgeon promised people with care experience that Scotland would do better.

In her last speech in Holyrood before she steps down ahead of the Scottish parliament election in May, Ms Sturgeon said that while she was the first minister who made The Promise, the “real place in history belongs” to the first minister who keeps it.

She said: “It does feel fitting, fated even, that I am making this final speech on an issue as close to my heart as The Promise is and always will be.”

She continued: “The Promise must be kept by 2030 and I believe it can be, but it will require a monumental effort from the next government and the next parliament.

“Commitment, courage, investment and a ruthless determination to put the lives of children ahead of the established practices of the systems they rely on.

“I may have been the first minister who made The Promise, but let me say this, the real place in history will belong to the first minister who keeps The Promise.

“I hope with all my heart that will be my friend, John Swinney. But whoever it is, do not fail these children.

“If you pick up this baton and run towards the finish line with every ounce of your energy, you will hear me cheering you on. But if you don’t, be in no doubt, you will definitely hear from me then.”

The Bill aims to allow those who have left care before their 16th birthday to receive aftercare services until their 26th birthday, as well as provide for life-long advocacy services.

Opening the debate, minister for children, young people and The Promise, Natalie Don Innes, also gave her final speech in the chamber before she steps down.

She said: “We grew up loved, safe and respected so that we realise our full potential.

“Presiding Officer, no law can achieve such an ambition on its own. But it can create the conditions, the support and the services that make it possible.

“That is what the Children Care Experience and Services Planning Scotland Bill does. I want to thank every child, young person and adult with care experience who has contributed their views, experiences and ideas to shape this Bill.

She continued: “My background did not set me on a path to become a politician, let alone a government minister. But I hope that by stepping into this role, I have shown any child or young person who feels their future is hopeless, as I once did, that it is not. You have so much to give, and I am living proof. Do not give up.”

The Scottish Conservatives have been critical of the Bill, however, speaking in the chamber, Tory MSP Roz McColl confirmed the party would be backing it.

She said: “We are supporting this Bill because we believe in what it could achieve. But the Scottish Government must understand that passing legislation is not the same as delivering change.

“The workforce must be resourced, the funding must be real, the legal clarity must be provided. Without those things, the Bill will not keep the promise. It will become another layer of complexity in a system already struggling under the weight of good intentions that were never properly implemented.”

Scottish Labour also expressed support for the Bill but warned that it will mean nothing” without “effective implementation”.

Scottish Labour MSP Martin Whitfield said: “The people with the most experience and knowledge to contribute to this Bill were not all listened to, and it is a much poorer piece of legislation for that. It should have not been left to the last moment. It is far, far too important.”

He continued: “Too many care-experienced young people are still not being given the nurture that they need to thrive, and the hard-won victories in this bill will mean nothing if there is not proper resource and effective implementation.”