Digital Economy Act 2017: Scottish Early Learning and Childcare
Applies to Scotland
Download the full outcome
Detail of outcome
In January 2022, the UK Government, in partnership with the Scottish Government consulted on draft regulations to enable data sharing to target funded early learning and childcare for certain 2 year olds in Scotland.
The consultation set out draft Regulations to allow data sharing between HMRC, DWP, the Scottish Government and Scottish local authorities in order to help identify and contact households that have a 2 year old eligible for funded early learning and childcare (ELC). The regulations would create an objective to share relevant data for this purpose under relevant powers in the Digital Economy Act 2017.
We received 69 responses during the 8 week consultation period. The Government wishes to thank all those who took the time and effort to respond to the consultation, and for the contributions received.
Both the UK and Scottish Governments are reassured that the responses are broadly positive and welcome the helpful input from respondents. As the Scottish Parliament can only approve proposals for new objectives which solely involve specified Scottish bodies permitted to make use of the public service delivery power, and the proposed objective would involve disclosure and processing of data held by UK departments (HMRC and DWP), the draft regulations must be taken through the UK Parliament by the UK Government. The UK Government will take forward legislation as soon as parliamentary time allows.
Original consultation
Consultation description
We’re seeking views from organisations and individuals on the proposed public service delivery objective under the data sharing provisions of the Digital Economy Act 2017. The aim is to enable data sharing between DWP, HMRC, the Scottish Government and Scottish local authorities to improve take-up of the targeted offer of early learning and childcare (ELC) in Scotland to eligible 2-year-olds.
Data sharing is envisaged to help identify households that are eligible for funded ELC and to inform them of their likely eligibility. This will improve take-up of the offer, ensuring that children and families facing the most disadvantaged are made aware of their entitlement. The expansion of funded ELC will deliver three main benefits for children and families: children’s development improves and the attainment gap narrows; parents opportunities to be in work, training or study increase; and family well-being improves through enhanced nurture and support
The territorial extent of this policy applies to Scotland only.
Ways to respond
You can respond to this consultation online.
Alternatively, you can use our list of suggested questions in section 22 to use when responding to this consultation to our email at dea-data-sharing@digital.cabinet-office.gov.uk.
Unfortunately, we cannot accept postal responses to this consultation unless there are exceptional circumstances. Send enquiries (including requests for the paper in an alternative format) to dea-data-sharing@digital.cabinet-office.gov.uk
We welcome responses to the questions. This consultation closes at 7 March 2022.
Documents
Last updated 7 June 2022 + show all updates
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Addition of the government response to the consultation on data sharing to support early learning and childcare in Scotland.
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First published.