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I do not accept that, which will not surprise Ms Duncan-Glancy. Record funding is going to local government in the settlement this year—I think that it is £15 billion.

Another thing in relation to the budget is that the Government has provided additionality for ASN and teacher numbers. Staff in our schools really matter, so we have protected and enhanced those budget lines. The line for teacher numbers has gone up to £185.6 million and the line for ASN has gone up to £29 million. The purpose of the ASN funding, which is in addition to an extra £1 billion that is baked into the general revenue grant, is for local authorities to employ more specialist staff.

Ms Duncan-Glancy’s line of questioning is about permanency. We want our local authorities to employ permanent staff. That is why there was extra funding in the budget—it was to allow them to do that and to give them that certainty.

Some staff are employed via PEF, and that is not necessarily a bad thing. One interesting thing about SAC and PEF in their totality is that funding certainty has been associated with those budget lines. It is unusual for a Government to say, “We will give you clear sight over a four-year spending cycle.” The purpose of that was to give local authorities and headteachers certainty that the funding would not be taken away.

Stopping the use of temporary contracts, for example, has been a helpful measure. Of course, we want to increase the availability of permanent contracts, and we will do that by resourcing local government adequately. I therefore do not agree with Pam Duncan-Glancy’s assertion on that point.

It might be an issue for the local authority. I am happy to pick up the specifics of that with Ms Duncan-Glancy if she shares details with me and officials after the meeting. However, Alison Taylor might want to come in on that point, as I can see her nodding.

That will be a matter for the next Government.

We do not gather the data in that way.

Good morning, and thank you for inviting me to discuss the draft Public Appointments and Public Bodies etc (Scotland) Act 2003 (Treatment of Qualifications Scotland as Specified Authority) Order 2025.

If the order is approved, it will allow ministers to make early appointments to the board of qualifications Scotland, which is an essential step in ensuring that the new qualifications body has a fully functioning board in time for its establishment in autumn this year and delivery of the 2026 exam diet.

I take the opportunity to put on record my thanks to Fiona Robertson for her leadership of the Scottish Qualifications Authority and for her many years of service to education. The SQA has now put in place interim arrangements to ensure continued delivery, and preparations for a full, fair and open process to appoint the SQA chief executive are well under way.

Back in November last year, as the chair of the SQA mentioned in her recent evidence to the committee, changes were made to the SQA’s board to ensure that it would be better able to support the establishment of qualifications Scotland. At that time, five appointments were made, including the appointment of members with experience of teaching in schools and colleges. Those appointments are already supporting the establishment of qualifications Scotland and—which is important—the work to support the organisation to transform how it engages and operates across the education and skills system.

Subject to the agreement of the Parliament, the Education (Scotland) Bill will ensure that the SQA chair is able to transfer to become the chair of qualifications Scotland. It will also enable a number of members of the SQA board to transfer. Those arrangements are critical in providing a smooth transition to the new body and supporting the implementation of the new membership model, as required by the Education (Scotland) Bill.

The revised model for board membership and new governance and accountability mechanisms will provide a more robust platform for delivery, which will ensure that the organisation’s decisions are more directly shaped by the views and experiences of teachers, college practitioners and pupils alike.

To build on the measures that are set out in the bill, the Scottish Government has also provided funding to the SQA for secondment of a secondary school headteacher, who will act as an adviser to the organisation and lead a new dedicated schools unit. That senior role will support the organisation to ensure that it is able to rebuild trust and confidence with Scotland’s teachers. I am pleased to say that the SQA will announce the successful candidate early next week.

As we move towards the establishment of qualifications Scotland, it is crucial that our qualifications body is able, now and in the future, to demonstrate leadership that inspires trust, confidence and transparency.

In order to begin the process of appointing new board members, I commend the order to the committee. I am happy to answer questions.

Those are your words, convener, not mine. I would not necessarily accept that there are “deficiencies in the bill” as currently drafted.

We do, because that was specified at stage 1. The member has a view in relation to trade union membership—

That is the advice that I, as cabinet secretary, have been provided with. I am happy to bring in officials on that point, but when it comes to public appointments, there are certain requirements and duties that ministers have to fulfil. Those things take time. We have to move forward to ensure that there is an operational board, but I do not detract from your points on, for example, trade union membership of the board. I have been open to engaging on that issue. Currently, as the bill has been drafted, there is no such provision, but Pam Duncan-Glancy is well aware that I have made it clear that I will work with committee members on a range of issues that they might have, in that regard.

My other point is that recruitment takes time. As you heard from Clare Hicks, it can take many months. I will be in front of the committee two weeks after recess, but to provide some reassurance to members, we could write to the committee on the timescales that are associated with public advertising of vacancies and ensure that the Government reflects on the committee’s asks in relation to amendments to be agreed at stage 2.

I think that some of the appointments are time limited. I will bring in Clare on those points.

I might defer to Clare Hicks, but my understanding is that there would be a substantial delay to the appointment process if that were to happen. I am happy to bring my officials in on that.