Martin Crewe, Director of Barnardo’s Scotland, said:
“Whilst it is welcome that the Programme for Government contains commitments to increase affordable childcare and to increase the Scottish Child Payment in line with inflation, it is disappointing that there is not more detail on how and when this increase will be achieved.
“More action is needed – and it is also disappointing that the roll out of universal free school meals for all primary school children, including those in Primary 6 and 7, has been delayed until 2026.
“On Keeping 'The Promise', I welcome that the First Minister will chair a new Cabinet sub-committee – this must lead to renewed leadership and action. However, we have repeatedly stated we must go further and faster on delivering holistic family support and more action and detail is still needed on this.
“The original £500 million commitment to the Whole Family Wellbeing Fund must be fully delivered by the end of 2026 and I urge Scottish Government to deliver further clarity on how and when this will be delivered.
“We also need more action to invest in early support and intervention to support the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people, with too many left for too long on waiting lists for support and diagnosis. The delivery plan for mental health and wellbeing must have support for children and young people at its heart.
“We look forward to continuing a dialogue with Scottish Government and working with politicians of all parties to put forward the views of the children and families Barnardo’s works with and ensure that these priorities are progressed.”
A copy of Barnardo’s Scotland Briefing for Programme for Government 23/24 can be found here.