The leader of the Scottish National Party, Nicola Sturgeon, has tried to appease parents over its widely-criticised 'named person' scheme, by wrongly suggesting they can opt out if wished.
Ruth Davidson, the Scottish Tory leader, accused the SNP leader of "misleading" parents, saying it is "completely dishonest" to suggest that the scheme, which would provide a ‘state guardian’ for every under-18 in Scotland, is not compulsory.
Invasive state interference
The proposals have already been rolled out in parts of Scotland and will come into full effect in August.
Christian Concern and many others have expressed strong objections about state interference into family life, as well as children’s security.
Earlier this month it came to light that under the scheme, children are to be asked invasive questions about their home life, in order to identify which children are 'at risk'.
Such signs of 'risk' could include a child saying they do not miss their mother whilst staying elsewhere overnight.
The answers will be stored on a database and the named persons are to have access to confidential information about the child.
In light of the serious implications posed by the measures, the ‘No to Named Persons Coalition’ (No2NP) are mounting a legal challenge against the plans.
SNP leader 'spinning furiously'
Speaking to MSPs, Nicola Sturgeon claimed that the scheme is "an entitlement rather than an obligation" and that parents and children are not "legally obliged" to use the service.
After their exchanges at First Minister’s questions, Ruth Davidson refuted these claims.
"This is simply not true. Nicola Sturgeon is spinning furiously to try and hide the facts of this draconian measure, which places an officer of the state above parents and gathers information on children without parental consent.
"It’s completely dishonest to suggest that a parent choosing not to engage with a named person is the same thing as being able to stop their child from having one imposed in the first place."
'No opt-out'
The Scottish Tories had previously attempted to amend the legislation by introducing an opt-out, but the SNP rejected this move.
Simon Calvert, a spokesman for No2NP, also confirmed that Nicola Sturgeon’s claims were false.
"There is no opt-out in the legislation as her own QC made clear in court during the judicial review of the law.
"If a Named Person wants your data or that of your child they can get it – without either of you even knowing. So how do you opt out of that?”
Christian Concern’s Chief Executive Andrea Williams commented:
"This is yet another example of the state interfering on parents’ rights. It is parents who should have final responsibility for bringing up and educating their children, not the state."
Please pray for a favourable outcome for No2NP’s legal challenge.
Related Links:
Children's home life to be state-monitored under 'named person' scheme
Nicola Sturgeon 'misleading parents over state guardians' (Telegraph)