Childcare: Scotland should not settle for second best

This afternoon during First Minister's Questions, Ruth Davidson pressed the First Minister to offer Scottish parents the same guaranteed level of free childcare that is available south of the border.

Speaking after First Minister's Questions, Ruth Davidson said:

"The First Minister today refused to commit to giving Scottish parents the same, guaranteed, extended, free childcare provision as is available in England. South of the border, every three and four year old gets 15 hours per week – in Scotland it is 12.5.

"In England, over a quarter of a million two year olds from the most disadvantaged backgrounds get free nursery care. None do in Scotland.

"The First Minister today tried to claim that the £4.5m allocated in the Scottish Government's Early Years Strategy was an answer that brought childcare parity. It does not. None of that money and nothing in the plans guarantee more free childcare. Scots families are worse off.

"When I sit down with Alex Salmond in the coming days I will press him to do more. Scotland should not settle for second best."

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