The Scottish Parliament’s Social Justice and Social Security Committee is keen to hear views from businesses in Scotland on what support could help parents who are looking for new or better jobs.

The Committee is running a call for views following visits to meet parents and employers in different areas around Scotland, including the east end of Glasgow, North Ayrshire and Uist in the Outer Hebrides.

Key themes raised during the visits have included the availability and cost of transport, access to and the flexibility of childcare provided by local authority and support to help parents who are looking for work to get flexible, well-paid, and secure jobs.

In North Ayrshire, one local employer, CHAP, told the Committee that the key to parents sustaining employment was ‘flexibility around the school gate’. They also suggested that encouraging employers to offer programmes of volunteering to build skills might help people looking for work.

The call for views, which is open until 5 April 2023, builds upon the issues and ideas raised with the Committee and asks people for their thoughts on what changes the Scottish Government could make that would have the most impact.

Natalie Don MSP (pictured above), Deputy Convener of the Social Justice and Social Security Committee, said: “So far, this inquiry has taken the Committee to Scotland’s cities, towns and rural areas. The feedback we have heard has been both heart-breaking and inspirational.

We chose to launch this inquiry because we understood that times are difficult for parents, but we have heard and seen ideas of how things could be different. Now we want to ask people across Scotland for their thoughts on what changes could be made and what the priorities should be.”

She added: “If you are a parent, an employer or you provide support to parents and children, please share your views with us. Your thoughts will help shape our recommendations to the Scottish Government.”