FIRST Minister Nicola Sturgeon will today pledge that an SNP Government will be “more determined than ever to make Scotland the best place in the world to grow up”, as she unveils a raft of policies designed to help children and families through the pandemic and into the recovery.
Key policies an SNP Government will support include:
- A free laptop or device for every pupil, together with a free internet connection
- Providing free school breakfasts and lunches year-round to every primary school pupil
- Building on the Outdoor Community Play Fund, a £60 million investment to renew every play park in Scotland
- Maintaining the provision of the Baby Box to all of Scotland’s new children, and explore ways that it can be used to further promote women’s health and support parental mental health
- Doubling the Scottish Child Payment and continuing the Best Start Grants, the Pregnancy and Baby Payment, the Early Learning Payment and the School Age Payment – as well as increasing the Best Start Food payment to £4.50 per week and increasing eligibility by around 50% to all in receipt of Universal Credit
Speaking today, Sturgeon is expected to say: “Whether it’s the Baby Box, the Best Start payments, the Scottish Child Payment or our massive expansion in childcare provision – the SNP government has been investing enormously in Early Years. If re-elected we will build on our record with even more ambitious policies that will have far-reaching benefits.”
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