NURSERY FEES CLIMBDOWN AFTER ROW
Education boss slashes hike in wake of backlash
THE controversial hike in nursery and childcare fees for Glasgow residents has been shelved.
The council has abandoned the 57 per cent increase following a huge outcry from parents and campaigners and settled on an 18 per cent increase instead.
It comes after the Evening Times reported how parents faced finding another £200 to £300 a month.
THE huge hike in nursery and childcare fees for Glasgow residents will be effectively scrapped in time for the new term stating in August.
The council was under intense pressure following the budget decision earlier this year to raise fees by 57 per cent from £2.54 to £4 and then by another hike next year to £5.
Now the council’s SNP administration is to propose a discounted rate for all Glasgow residents of £3 per hour until further notice.
It means a lower rise of 18 per cent instead.
The Evening Times reported stories of parents facing unaffordable bills and some considering if they could afford to carry on working.
Families complained of facing finding another £200 to £300 a month, in some cases, to meet the extra costs.
Opposition councillors were angry and the Greens had planned to bring forward a motion to try and reverse the budget decision.
Earlier this month Education Convenor Chris Cunningham told the Evening Times the stories were “uncomfortable” and he was looking at the situation.
Now, Mr Cunningham has said that cash from the Scottish Government for early years childcare funding will be used to meet the commitment to delivering the extra hours and to introduce a discounted rate for city residents.
SNP politicians met with Fight the Hike campaigners in the last two weeks and parents put their case forward. The campaigners previously met with Labour and the Greens.
We reported on Education Director, Maureen McKenna, telling one parent that the cash raised would be used to meet a council budget shortfall – which Mr Cunningham has always disputed.
Mr Cunningham said today: “I’ve said from the start that this is about the need to change how the sector works, rather than raise money; which should be clear from the steps we have already taken to try and mitigate any impact on families.
“We now have clarity on our funding from the Scottish Government over the next three years and this allows us to consider extending mitigation to our non-statutory provision and to reduce the immediate burden on families on top of the agreed increase in free hours for those earning less than £30,000.
“This means we can introduce a discounted rate for city families, and a further resident reduced rate for kinship carers and those on the lowest incomes.
“Glasgow residents will pay no more than £3 per hour in nursery fees.”