Keith Brown MSP, Member of theScottish Parliament for the Clackmannanshire & Dunblane constituency, has welcomed confirmation that Clackmannanshire is to be one of six local authority areas who will be working with the Scottish Government and other partners to develop the local infrastructure and services needed to provide childcare from nine months to the end of primary school.

The pilot project was unveiled in this week’s Programme for Government which also contained new funding from the Scottish Government to expand early years childcare and free school meals more broadly.  Speaking today, Keith said:

“I am very pleased that Clackmannanshire is to be one of six local authority areas who will be part of a pilot project working with the Scottish Government and other partners towards providing childcare from nine months to the end of primary school.

“The project was highlighted during the Programme for Government during which the First Minister announced more broadly that in this parliamentary year the Scottish Government will significantly invest to expand free school meals and provisions for early year care.

“The funding will ensure that all primary school pupils receive a free school lunch – a really important contribution to eradicating child poverty in Clackmannanshire. 

“This commitment builds on the bedrock of existing measures that already see all Primary 1 to 5 pupils currently receive free school meals.  

“First Minister Humza Yousaf, has made it clear that it is a national mission of the SNP Government to eradicate child poverty. The expansion of free school meal entitlement to all primary school pupils during this parliament will go a long way to making sure this becomes a reality.

“I know that expanding free childcare will be very warmly welcomed by local parents.   Helping families get through the Westminster cost-of-living crisis is the SNP Government’s main priority and expanding childcare and free school meals will help deliver that.”