Cutting Childcare Costs

Anas Sarwar pledges to cut summer childcare costs for working families by providing an additional two weeks of fully funded holiday clubs for primary school aged children.

As the pressure on family budgets grows, Mr Sarwar says Scotland needs change after 20 years of SNP government and that a Scottish Labour government will fix the mess, get the basics right and build a better future for Scotland.

For too many working parents, the long summer holiday means weeks of stress as they try to patch together annual leave, paid childcare, local clubs and help from family just to get through. Scottish Labour will work with local authorities to ensure every primary school aged child, from age 5 to 11, can access two weeks of funded holiday clubs covering the school day.

The policy will build on the holiday provision councils already run and help families with one of the biggest pressures they face outside term time, while making sure children have more opportunities to learn, play and socialise over the summer.

The need for action is clear. In Scotland, 16 per cent of households say they find it difficult or very difficult to afford childcare, while 16 per cent say they spend 10 per cent or more of their monthly income on it. During the school holidays, only 57 per cent of households say all childcare is free or funded.

Mr Sarwar say this is the result of years of SNP broken promises on childcare. 

Parents were promised a system that worked for modern family life, but too many are still left with high costs, patchy provision and too little support during the school holidays.

The policy forms part of Scottish Labour’s wider childcare plan to reduce costs, improve flexibility, support childminders and give parents more choice and control over the childcare that works for their family.

Commenting, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said: “Scotland needs change after 20 years of SNP government and parents need a break from John Swinney’s failures draining their hard earned cash. 

“For too many working parents, the summer holidays are not a break. They are a source of stress, worry and extra cost.

“The SNP has made promise after promise on childcare, but too many families are still left to patch things together and pay the price.

“I’m standing to fix the mess, get the basics right, and build a better future for Scotland.

“A Scottish Labour government will provide two weeks of fully funded holiday clubs for primary school aged children, helping parents with costs and making sure children have somewhere safe, supportive and fun to go over the summer.

“This is practical help for working families and part of our plan to build a childcare system that gives parents more choice and works around the reality of family life.

“On May 7, vote Scottish Labour on both votes for the change Scotland needs.”