For immediate release:

RUTHERGLEN FAMILIES TO BENEFIT FROM £1 BILLION CHILDCARE INVESTMENT

Families across Rutherglen and Cambuslang will benefit from a share of almost £1 billion of Scottish Government investment in free childcare, MSP Clare Haughey has said.

Following extensive engagement to reach a shared understanding of the costs of the expansion, Scottish Ministers and COSLA Leaders have reached agreement on a multi-year funding package. The Scottish Government will invest an additional £567 million per year by 2021-22, bringing total spending on early learning and childcare to around £990 million. All three and four year olds, and eligible two year olds, will be entitled to 1140 hours of free childcare – effectively mirroring the primary school week.

In addition, the Scottish Government will provide councils with total capital funding of £476 million over four years to support associated buildings projects.

The Scottish Government confirmed to Clare Haughey MSP last week during a ministerial statement that they have asked local authorities to commit to putting in place plans to use a reference to the Scottish index of multiple deprivation, or an equivalent measure, in order to ensure that the children who need the provision most will benefit from it first.

Commenting, Clare Haughey MSP said:

“Rutherglen and Cambuslang families will benefit from a share of almost £1 billion funding each year to support the Scottish Government’s ambitious expansion of free childcare.

“By almost doubling the availability of free childcare, parents will save hundreds of pounds a month and many will find it easier to return to work or to increase their working hours.

“The Scottish Government are determined to make Scotland the best place in the world to grow up – and our childcare expansion will be of enormous help to families with young children.”

ENDS

Notes:

The transcript of the exchange between Clare Haughey MSP and the Minister for Childcare and Early Years can be found here:

http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28862.aspx?r=11498&i=104361&c=2087243&s

Below is a photograph of Clare Haughey MSP during the Ministerial Statement.