Lamont lines childcare up for Cuts Commission fire Johann Lamont has been accused of lacking any kind of vision, after last night revealing that the Scottish Government’s planned transformation of childcare in an independent Scotland will be the latest policy to fall into the firing line of her Cuts Commission. Interviewed on Newsnight Scotland yesterday (Wednesday), the Labour leader was asked “do you also support the idea that John Swinney has of equal access for all to any additional free childcare?” She replied: “No, what I’ve said is it has to be affordable, it has to be accessible.” Asked to clarify whether this meant she was in favour of means-testing, Johann Lamont confirmed that “well, again, we should look at these proposals”. In contrast to this lack of vision from the Labour leader, the SNP Government have set out plans to use the powers of an independent Scotland to transform childcare. The White Paper published this week sets out plans for an independent Scotland to provide 1,140 hours of childcare to all children from age one to when they start school, saving families up to £4,600 per child every year. Commenting, SNP MSP Clare Adamson said: “As usual Johann Lamont seems to be lacking in any kind of vision for Scotland with her comments last night. “The Labour leader’s only reaction to hearing the ambitious plans that have been put forward for childcare is simply to threaten to cut and restrict the policy. “While the SNP Government is setting out a vision to transform childcare in an independent Scotland, Johann Lamont’s ambitions as usual fall well short of what Scotland needs. “The white paper sets out our vision for childcare. Johann Lamont should explain exactly what cuts she wants to make to what we have planned. “By fundamentally changing our approach to childcare, a Yes vote next year gives us the opportunity to save families £4,600 per child every single year and help thousands of parents into the workforce. “This is a policy that will substantially boost Government finances, but the money it brings in can only pay for further childcare improvements in an independent Scotland that is in full control of its own finances – otherwise it disappears into the maw of the Treasury. “This is the kind of transformation that only a Yes vote makes possible and shows what we can achieve with the full powers of an independent Scotland.” (Via SITVtam)
Posted on: Thu, 28 Nov 2013 13:52:29 +0000