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Parties clash over 'vulnerable' Clash over 'vulnerable' children
(about 1 hour later)
Labour leader Wendy Alexander has accused the Scottish Government of creating a post code lottery for disadvantaged children. Labour leader Wendy Alexander has accused the Scottish Government of creating a postcode lottery for disadvantaged children.
She claimed Alex Salmond had abandoned the "poor, weak and dispossessed" by jeopardising £100m previously earmarked for spending on children.She claimed Alex Salmond had abandoned the "poor, weak and dispossessed" by jeopardising £100m previously earmarked for spending on children.
At question time, the first minister said the cash was part of the settlement with local authorities.At question time, the first minister said the cash was part of the settlement with local authorities.
He quoted the Labour president of Cosla, who welcomed the arrangement.He quoted the Labour president of Cosla, who welcomed the arrangement.
The Conservatives raised concern about steps to keep communities safe from predatory sex offenders, while the Liberal Democrats pressed the first minister for a timetable on plans for an alternative to public private partnership (PPP) funding.The Conservatives raised concern about steps to keep communities safe from predatory sex offenders, while the Liberal Democrats pressed the first minister for a timetable on plans for an alternative to public private partnership (PPP) funding.
Speaking in the Scottish Parliament, Ms Alexander hit out at the Scottish Government's decision to end ring-fenced funding, allowing councils to spend money as they saw fit.Speaking in the Scottish Parliament, Ms Alexander hit out at the Scottish Government's decision to end ring-fenced funding, allowing councils to spend money as they saw fit.
Is the first minister content that predatory sex offenders get early release then get out only to breach their release conditions, because I am not Annabel GoldieScottish Tory leaderIs the first minister content that predatory sex offenders get early release then get out only to breach their release conditions, because I am not Annabel GoldieScottish Tory leader
Urging Mr Salmond to commit to Labour's pledge of a nursery place for every vulnerable two-year-old, she said: "The truth is that this government is taking the guarantees to the poor the weak and the dispossessed out of the nation's budget and leaving it to chance."Urging Mr Salmond to commit to Labour's pledge of a nursery place for every vulnerable two-year-old, she said: "The truth is that this government is taking the guarantees to the poor the weak and the dispossessed out of the nation's budget and leaving it to chance."
Mr Salmond said Ms Alexander's claims were scaremongering and a slur on councillors - many of them Labour - who welcomed the greater spending freedom given to them.Mr Salmond said Ms Alexander's claims were scaremongering and a slur on councillors - many of them Labour - who welcomed the greater spending freedom given to them.
Early releaseEarly release
"Our plans for nursery education are to increase provision by 50% across the course of this parliament - something that was never even attempted by the previous administration in eight years," he said."Our plans for nursery education are to increase provision by 50% across the course of this parliament - something that was never even attempted by the previous administration in eight years," he said.
Mr Salmond pointed out that Pat Watters of Cosla, the council umbrella body, had sought to reassure vulnerable groups that removing ring-fencing could lead to better services.Mr Salmond pointed out that Pat Watters of Cosla, the council umbrella body, had sought to reassure vulnerable groups that removing ring-fencing could lead to better services.
Meanwhile, Tory leader Annabel Goldie accused the government of betraying victims and endangering the public, by allowing the early release of prisoners from jail.Meanwhile, Tory leader Annabel Goldie accused the government of betraying victims and endangering the public, by allowing the early release of prisoners from jail.
David McMillan appeared in court over a curfew breachDavid McMillan appeared in court over a curfew breach
She raised the case of David McMillan, a violent rapist due to be released from prison next month without the extensive safeguards which a sheriff in Perth wanted to place on him.She raised the case of David McMillan, a violent rapist due to be released from prison next month without the extensive safeguards which a sheriff in Perth wanted to place on him.
The 31-year-old, said to pose a "very high risk" of reoffending, appeared in the dock for breaching a curfew, but the court was unable to place him under a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO).The 31-year-old, said to pose a "very high risk" of reoffending, appeared in the dock for breaching a curfew, but the court was unable to place him under a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO).
"Is the first minister content that predatory sex offenders get early release then get out only to breach their release conditions, because I am not," said Miss Goldie."Is the first minister content that predatory sex offenders get early release then get out only to breach their release conditions, because I am not," said Miss Goldie.
Mr Salmond said he did not believe in a "general scrapping" of the current system, pointing out that his government had decided to rebuild Peterhead Prison, which had done "outstanding work" in keeping communities safe from sex offenders.Mr Salmond said he did not believe in a "general scrapping" of the current system, pointing out that his government had decided to rebuild Peterhead Prison, which had done "outstanding work" in keeping communities safe from sex offenders.
"I think everybody in this chamber will share Annabel Goldie's concern about predatory sex offenders," he told MSPs."I think everybody in this chamber will share Annabel Goldie's concern about predatory sex offenders," he told MSPs.
Lib Dem leader Nicol Stephen accused ministers of "sneaking out" plans for a Scottish Futures Trust alternative, just before Christmas, adding that they contained "nine excuses" why the trust would not work.Lib Dem leader Nicol Stephen accused ministers of "sneaking out" plans for a Scottish Futures Trust alternative, just before Christmas, adding that they contained "nine excuses" why the trust would not work.
He said: "People don't want excuses first minister. Councils are waiting to get on with building new schools. Projects have ground to a halt."He said: "People don't want excuses first minister. Councils are waiting to get on with building new schools. Projects have ground to a halt."
Mr Salmond insisted the plans would be "light years in advance" of the previous funding method, telling Mr Stephen: "He should go and have a look at the building programmes in Carnoustie and Forfar and he will see schools actually being built at the present moment."Mr Salmond insisted the plans would be "light years in advance" of the previous funding method, telling Mr Stephen: "He should go and have a look at the building programmes in Carnoustie and Forfar and he will see schools actually being built at the present moment."