Named person delay

Education Secretary John Swinney has formally delayed the Scottish Government’s named person scheme indefinitely.

The act was due to come into force next Wednesday, but following a ruling by the Supreme Court it will now be amended and put back before MSPs.

Scottish Government officials were unable to confirm how long that process would take, but Mr Swinney confirmed he will make a statement to parliament once Holyrood returns from summer recess.

He said: “In its judgment last month, the Supreme Court dismissed a number of challenges to the named person policy and described its aims as ‘unquestionably legitimate and benign’.

“However, the court’s ruling made clear the Scottish Government needs to amend the information-sharing provisions in the 2014 Act and provide greater clarity about the basis on which information will be shared to ensure compliance with the ECHR (European Convention on Human Rights).

“I confirmed earlier this month that the Scottish Government is therefore not commencing the named person provisions of the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 on 31 August, and ministers have today lodged the necessary order to address this point.

“We remain firmly committed to implementing the named person service to support children and their families.”

Top UK judges unanimously decided part of the 2014 legislation is incompatible with Article 8 of the ECHR in relation to family life and privacy because of its information sharing provisions.

Scottish Conservative shadow education secretary Liz Smith said: “It’s no surprise to see the Scottish Government attempt to bury this announcement on the day its independence case was again blown to pieces by the GERS figures (see page 13).

“Families and professionals welcome this development.”