For immediate release:
 
ALMOST 300,000 BABY BOXES GIVEN TO FAMILIES SINCE SCHEME LAUNCH

New figures have revealed that almost 300,000 Baby Boxes have been delivered Scotland-wide to expecting families since the project started in 2017 – with over 30,000 provided to households within the NHS Lanarkshire health board area.

Designed so that every child is given an equal start in life, the Baby Boxes are full of essentials like baby clothes, blankets, books and bibs. The box also includes nursing pads and a thermometer, and can be used itself as a bed for newborns. 

Local MSP Clare Haughey, who when Children’s Minister had responsibility for the scheme, has said Baby Boxes are helping to ease the financial pressure on families during the cost of living crisis.

Commenting, Ms Haughey said:

“I welcome these new figures which show that Scotland’s transformative Baby Box is benefiting Rutherglen and Cambuslang newborns and their families in ever increasing numbers.

“32,368 Baby Boxes have been delivered to families across Lanarkshire – supporting households with the costs of raising a child from before its even born.

“We know that raising a child is an expensive endeavour, and these jam-packed Baby Boxes help to ensure that each child born in Scotland is given an equal start in life.

“From expanding free funded early learning years care to the Scottish Child Payment, the Scottish Government is committed to making Scotland the best place in the world for children to grow up.”