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DWP provide aggregate data to SG to estimate eligible 2s when new data becomes available. This is part of our ongoing relationship. Use of aggregate, administrative data for analytic purposes does not require creation of a new gateway. We are in regular contact with DWP on a range of data sharing issues. As outlined in my response to S5W-25751 on 6 November 2019, regular updates are requested inside our ongoing working relationship, but DWP are not currently able to provide an expected date for the supply of the latest data. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx .

Based on the latest published data, Local Authorities forecast that 26% of funded ELC places will be provided in private sector, third sector or childminding settings in April 2021, with the remaining 74% provided in local authority settings. This will mean an increase in the share of private, third and childminding sector providers’ income accounted for by funded hours, in part due to previously paid-for hours becoming funded with the increase in the statutory entitlement, and in part due to children newly accessing funded hours at the setting.

There is no requirement that providers in the private, third and childminding sectors change their overall size of service as a result of the ELC expansion – it is up to providers to work with their local authority to agree whether and to what extent they wish to offer funded hours, in order to meet local parental demand. We are aware that some local authorities are supporting providers who do wish to increase their funded provision, including through access to grant funding. In July this year we published a summary of the different types of support available to providers in each local authority: https://www.parliament.scot/S5_Education/Inquiries/In_Attachment_ELC_rates.pdf .

Local authorities are investing in expanded services. The latest published data shows that local authorities are currently planning to deliver 900 infrastructure projects to support the ELC expansion, including refurbishment, extension and new build projects. As of September 2019, 214 projects were complete; 120 in construction; and a further 566 in development.

The statutory duty for Scottish local authorities to make funded early learning and childcare available for all eligible 2 year olds in their area came in to force with the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014. The profile of children eligible for this offer was then extended through The Provision of Early Learning and Childcare (Specified Children) (Scotland) Order 2014, as amended in 2015, 2017 and 2019.

Discussions with the UK Government (Department for Education) began in 2016 with information being provided on the legal gateway in place in England for sharing data on eligible 2 year olds between central and local government. We understand the legislative framework for this gateway is under the Childcare Act 2006 (brought in by amendments made in the Education Act 2011). The extent of the 2006 Act is to England and Wales only and the specific powers on data sharing extend to English local authorities only, therefore it would not have been possible for the UK Government to offer this gateway to the Scottish Government under existing legislation.

The answer to S5W-23963 included an update on progress in establishing a data-sharing gateway under the Digital Economy Act 2017.

Consultation on the development of Island Community Impact Assessments (ICIAs) provisions within the Act has now been completed. Policy development is underway and a timeline for the commencement of section 14 is being finalised.

In the meantime, although there is no duty to do an impact assessment, all Ministerial colleagues have been advised of the provisions of the Islands Act, with the recent Fuel Poverty (Targets Definition and Strategy) (Scotland) Bill being a good example of how Ministers are trying to reflect the need to island proof legislation, in advance of the development of the ICIA tool being finalised.

We have also been advising our agencies and partners, where possible to operate in the spirit of the Act, and to consider island issues in their work bearing in mind that the Act would allow for an impact assessment, to potentially be applied retrospectively, where appropriate.