As the chair of the all-party review group whose recommendations on disabled children and their families led to additional funding for the whole of the UK, I am writing to say that Kenny Gibson MSP is wrong and Wendy Alexander is right. So compelling was our report, based on evidence from all over Britain, that England and Wales have agreed that the additional funding based on the priorities we identified will be ring-fenced. Only Scotland has failed to do the same.

As the chair of the all-party review group whose recommendations on disabled children and their families led to additional funding for the whole of the UK, I am writing to say that Kenny Gibson MSP is wrong and Wendy Alexander is right. So compelling was our report, based on evidence from all over Britain, that England and Wales have agreed that the additional funding based on the priorities we identified will be ring-fenced. Only Scotland has failed to do the same.

Our report was largely influenced by the "every disabled child matters consortium". MPs of all parties were convinced by the trenchant criticisms of the English Children's Commissioner on inadequate resources, as well as extremely moving case studies presented to us by parents, carers and disabled children themselves.

Some of us visited families and witnessed circumstances that were simply horrendous and which demanded a practical response.

I recall one mother who was looking after two profoundly disabled children, both needing 24/7 care, as well as the rest of her family and an ill husband. She desperately required respite as well as help by a key worker to co-ordinate what for most of us would be unbelievable daily demands. In short, the case for extra specific resources was unanswerable. That is why we focused on the need for respite care, early diagnosis and assistance at the traumatic time of transition when disabled young people left the educational system with little planning for their futures.

The government's considered response was to allocate, in terms of the Barnett formula, an additional £340m to England, £34m to Scotland and £21m to Wales.

The settlements with local authorities were specifically in addition to the 2.5% increase in general funding and were not expected to be diluted for other services. As an ex-president of Cosla, I appreciate Councillor Pat Watters's views, but I respectfully urge him to think again.

The government's consideration of our review accepted that we were dealing with a crisis that required a unique response. What would be wrong, and indefensible, would be if funding specifically for disabled children and their families were used in Scotland for something different.

Holyrood still has the opportunity to put this right. I urge it to show the same maturity as those responsible in England and Wales, so as to implement what the all-party review in parliament clearly intended.

Tom Clarke, MP for Coatbridge, Chryston & Bellshill, House of Commons.