Glasgow council: Labour pledges to extend childcare provision
Glasgow council leader Gordon Matheson. Picture: TSPL
LABOUR has pledged to extend childcare provision if it retains control of Scotland’s largest local authority, after what will be a hotly contested election in May.
Glasgow City Council leader Gordon Matheson said the move would be worth up to £1,500 for families with young children.
He made the announcement during a visit to Dove Street Nursery in the city’s Nitshill area with Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont and MP Harriet Harman.
Children receive 15 hours of funded childcare a week at the beginning of the term, after their third birthday.
If re-elected, Labour says the scheme will extend to the start of the term in which they turn three, helping an estimated 7,000 children a year.
Mr Matheson said: “Glasgow was the first council in Scotland to offer 15 hours of free childcare to three year olds but I want our city to stay ahead of the game. Childcare is vital in helping parents, especially women, get back into the job market.
Ms Lamont said: “Too often there is a gap between the rhetoric of what politicians say and the reality facing families. By contrast, this is a real, concrete scheme that will support thousands of children in Glasgow and their families.
“Even in good economic times, access to childcare is one of the biggest barriers stopping women coming back to the workplace. When times are tough, childcare is even more important.”
She said the SNP scrapped schemes aimed at expanding childcare to “vulnerable two year olds”.
Ms Harman, a former UK government minister, said: “Childcare needs to be local, affordable and flexible and is absolutely critical in helping mums who want to return to work.
“For decades, Glasgow has led the way on how the council provides childcare and helps, and this development will be a real help to many families in the city. Gordon Matheson is to be congratulated on setting out a vision for childcare in Glasgow and the steps needed to make it a reality.”
Labour faces a strong challenge from the SNP for control of the city council at the election in May.
Earlier this month Mr Matheson narrowly saw off an internal rebellion to pass his council budget by just two votes. The administration suffered a backlash by councillors who have been told they will not be standing for the party again.
Former Labour councillors are expected to stand in the election in a new group.
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Comments
There are 36 comments to this article
Page 1 of 3
Naylabour
Monday, February 27, 2012 at 07:59 AM35 - Moderators where are you ....! Are you kidding? I have had 2 posts removed AND im waiting for my third (three days and counting). I think i was guilty of the terrible crime of mentioning a certain ex-council leader. It appears we should not be reminded of the 'quality' councillors new labour have given us!
Vote Labour
Sunday, February 26, 2012 at 07:20 PMSome of these comments are libelous, hateful and defamatory, the others just bullying childish jibes. If you disagree with Labour's proposal for extending childcare then please do explain why. And moderators, where are you? From where I'm standing there are posts here that breach your 'terms of use' around the issue of defamation!
Naylabour
Sunday, February 26, 2012 at 01:15 AMPending Moderation
Anagach
Saturday, February 25, 2012 at 08:19 PMNo doubt another get rich quick scheme for some Labour councillor and their partners. I take it "City Nurseries" will need some highly paid councillors on the board...
Alicia Murray
Saturday, February 25, 2012 at 11:29 AMLabour puts the price of a vote in Glasgow as £1,500.
tartanfever
Saturday, February 25, 2012 at 10:32 AM26 - good point, but actually when will Johan Lamutt actually say anything ? Wheeled out every Thursday for FMQ then back to the cave for a week. Since arriving as leader, she has not named one policy, she has not intervened nor commented on the appalling behaviour of Labour politicians, and it's said she's never in her constituency as some Labour party members commented a couple of months back. Just what is she doing ?
Bruceboy
Saturday, February 25, 2012 at 10:10 AMComment removed by moderator
tartanfever
Saturday, February 25, 2012 at 10:01 AMSo after the con of City Building and City Parking, which has seen ex-Labour councillors scam £millions into their own pockets and bankrupt these ALEO's to the point that more tax payers money has to be injected to save them because they are flat broke - are we now going to get City Nurseries. Be on the lookout for a new organisation, headed by the wife of a LABOUR councillor......
I AM THE OPERATOR OF A POCKET CALCULATOR
Saturday, February 25, 2012 at 02:18 AMSorry, typo. 75 years.
I AM THE OPERATOR OF A POCKET CALCULATOR
Saturday, February 25, 2012 at 02:17 AM'Aye man....like we'll give aww the bairns magic beans...just vote labburrrr....", 75 these parasites have fed on the misery of Glasgow. Time to show them the door.
Intervention
Saturday, February 25, 2012 at 01:24 AMWhen will Johann Lamentable as a mother and as a leader speak out about the many recent occurrences of thuggish behaviour by West of Scotland male Labour MPs and Councillors.
Naylabour
Saturday, February 25, 2012 at 12:29 AMComment removed by moderator
Badgersarse
Saturday, February 25, 2012 at 12:15 AMFunny .. wasn't in their budget. Could the Scotsman kindly ask them what they'll cut to fulfil this pledge?
mickymonkey
Friday, February 24, 2012 at 10:29 PM"Labour pledge" - I hate to be unkind but here goes. ---- ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!!!!!
Newferryman
Friday, February 24, 2012 at 10:24 PMThe sweat is starting to show on the brows of a dying breed. I wonder what else they will be promising to save their necks from the noose.
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