North-east MSP hails support provided by Baby Boxes to families
Banff and Buchan MSP Karen Adam has said that Scotland’s Baby Boxes will help families struggling with the financial pressure of the festive season.
The MSP has said that the period “can be very tough for those less fortunate and the essential items in the Baby Box can hopefully lessen some of the pressure on them.”
Based on official birth records by local authorities, the number of Baby Boxes distributed to parents across Scotland reached 200,000 at the end of November.
Last year, a record 98 per cent of expectant parents requested a Baby Box, a big rise on the 85 per cent when they were first launched in 2017.
This is a further vote of confidence for the scheme following the independent evaluation that showed how much parents value the Baby Box and its contents.
Ms Adam said: “This time of year is so special but it can also be very tough for those less fortunate – for many, their household budget struggles to cover the basics, let alone being able to provide their children with the joy of unwrapping an exciting gift.
“Many of the actions the SNP has taken are making a real difference to children and families on low incomes – from the game changing Scottish Child Payment to the Baby Box.
“It is no exaggeration to say that the Scottish Child Payment is already helping thousands of families across Scotland and doubling the payment to £20 a week will be a lifeline for many and will help towards meeting Scotland’s hugely important child poverty targets
“The Baby Box is also making a big difference by providing families with essential items for themselves and their little ones which hopefully lessens some of the pressure on them.
"It was only a matter of weeks ago we saw the brilliant news that more than 200,000 families across Scotland have now received a Baby Box.
“Whilst the SNP continue to deliver policies for a fairer Scotland, tackling inequality and improving the lives of people across Scotland, we are faced with a Tory government at Westminster which is making political choices that are exacerbating poverty and inequality with its austerity agenda."
