Sturgeon childcare pledge
NICOLA Sturgeon will include plans for free wraparound childcare for the lowest income families in her government’s plans for the coming year.
The Programme for Government announcement at Holyrood this afternoon comes after a powersharing deal was agreed with the Scottish Greens.
And as Scotland seeks to rebuild from coronavirus, Sturgeon said ministers would “work to secure an economic recovery which is green and fair, and which delivers our ambition to become a net-zero nation”.
A “new vision” for health and social care will be included in the programme, with the Scottish Government already consulting on plans to establish a National Care Service.
To help families on the lowest incomes, there will be free childcare before and after school and over the holidays, making it easier for their parents to work, take part in training or study.
Speaking on a visit to the Indigo out of school care centre in Castlemilk in Glasgow, the First Minister said: “While the pandemic may have defined our lives for those dark and difficult months, our Programme for Government looks to secure a brighter and fairer future for Scotland.
“That means prioritising the recovery of our precious health and social care services – rebuilding capacity, and establishing a new form of care which people can access in a way, place and time which works for them.”
Sturgeon added: “We know that children and young people have been negatively impacted by the pandemic and we are more determined than ever to help them flourish and reach their full potential.”