Linda Fabiani Pupils were so clued up for question time

I’m just back from a visit to Kirktonholme Primary School – great fun as always, though on a serious point, I am fascinated by their interest and knowledge about our parliament.

Both Primary 6 classes had visited last week, and this was me doing the follow-up. They asked really serious questions, and made valid comments about their parliament and their community.

Testament to their smashing teachers who guided them through their parliament project. I’m looking forward to going back to listen to their ‘debating masterclass’ soon. Politicians of the future I think!

We have excellent schools in East Kilbride, at primary level and senior level. That’s not to say that everything is perfect, of course it’s not.

I know there are concerns about some aspects of provision for children with special educational needs; constituents have been in touch recently about potential cuts to after-school facilities; there is a view that more classroom assistants should be employed. Therefore, the Scottish Government’s pledge of the priority for education is welcome, especially when this is backed up by additional funding for our schools.

Our 24 primary schools are set to receive additional support worth thousands of pounds. The share each school is due to receive from the Scottish Government’s new £120 million Pupil Equity Fund is based on the number of free school meals which are taken up in the school.

The funding is going directly to head teachers, so it will be up to them to decide the best way of spending it to improve attainment. I am really pleased with the additional funding to help our most disadvantaged children. Good news.

Of course, there was much in the Scottish Government’s draft budget. Negotiation with and support from the Scottish Green Party meant that the budget passed its first stage last week. This means that South Lanarkshire Council will get an additional allocation of more than £9m. I hope very much that the council will redraft its own budget to reflect the concerns that East Kilbride residents have.

Housing has always been a particular interest of mine, and having worked in East Kilbride for more than 20 years now, I am acutely aware of the housing issues in the town. That’s why I was so pleased to see council houses being built again when the SNP Government was elected.

For some time now, many of you will have spotted social housing developments being completed – in the Murray, Westwood and Calderwood.

Construction recently started on more homes for social rent by Clyde Valley Housing in Mavor Avenue.

The East Kilbride Housing Association is determined to begin further development too and the management committee and staff are committed to working hard to provide a local, communitybased service.

Of course, the abolition of the Right to Buy by Nicola Sturgeon’s government is important in this too – affordable rented homes for those who cannot or do not wish to buy.

Affordable rented homes which will remain as affordable rented homes! Successful towns like East Kilbride, particularly in sought-after areas, saw much take-up of the Right to Buy – in fact I was stunned when I came to work in East Kilbride to learn of the quite aggressive sales policy which was pursued by the development corporation.

Whilst it was obviously beneficial to many people, it has resulted in an acute shortage of social-rented housing, and the rise in private landlords; higher rents and sometimes difficult to force improvements and maintenance.

The Scottish Government has committed to delivering at least 50,000 affordable homes by March 2021 – a 67 per cent increase in affordable housing supply, with 35,000 homes being for social rent, backed by over £3 billion of investment.

For those who would prefer to get on the home ownership ladder, the government has also pledged to support home ownership through the Help to Buy and Open Market Shared Equity schemes.

Education and housing are just two aspects of the Scottish Government budget ; there is much more that I don’t have the space to write about here today – additional investment in our NHS; funding towards the workforce and infrastructure required for the expansion of free early learning and childcare entitlement; the small business bonus.

I’m prepared to bet that some of these youngsters in our schools have read all about it, though, and are getting their questions ready for me!

i am really pleased with the additional funding to help our most disadvantaged children. Good news.