Scots parents back under-fire baby boxes

Scottish parents have given their overwhelming backing to new baby boxes amid calls for the scheme to be axed.

New research has found near universal satisfaction levels among parents with the boxes, which were launched in August

But parents have suggested the boxes provided for every newborn child in Scotland could contain nappies.

And the free condoms distributed in the boxes have been given their thumbs down, with many parents suggesting they would not use them. The boxes double up as makeshift sleeping areas for tots. They also include items like clothes, bath towels and a changing mat and books

The boxes have prompted criticism among some groups who argue the public purse should not be funding the £8 million annual cost of the items provided to many families who can already afford them.

Themostpopularitemswere the bathroom thermometer, with 32 per cent saying it was most useful item, followed by the ear thermometer (22 per cent) and sling (15 per cent). One in ten said the box should include nappies.

The item with the highest proportion of parents (19 per cent) saying they did not intend to use them was the box of three condoms.

Childcare minister Maree Todd said: “It’s great to hear how positive parents are about the baby box.”

The Tories last week called for the boxes to be axed, branding them a “vanity project”.