Bronwen Cohen: Investment in childcare will pay off quickly

In The Scotsman recently, finance secretary John Swinney committed to use “all the levers” to reinvigorate our economy. He says the Scottish Government is working hard to protect household income as well as employment and frontline services, and signals spending on new schools, hospitals and houses.

So why no mention of investment in the childcare and education services which enable parents to work – and give young children opportunities that are an entitlement in a growing number of countries? Strategic funding could provide this more effectively and at a price parents can afford. The school building programme offers opportunities to extend nursery entitlements to younger children and offer more hours, in keeping with the trend across Europe. In a pre-election interview with Children in Scotland, Alex Salmond agreed this wider use of schools could help save some rural schools from closure.

Investing in these services can create jobs and at the same time boost employment and workforce development. It is also essential if we are to protect households with young children, who are at a greater risk of poverty than any other major population group. The lack of affordable childcare is a major factor in this, with parents paying 25 per cent of their income compared with 8 per cent in Finland and Denmark. Many commentators agree improving access to services, and capping the cost to parents, could reduce levels of child poverty by half.

So why not act now, Mr Swinney? As former health minister Susan Deacon has pointed out, now is the time “to make a much harder edged commitment”.

Of course such services have long-term benefits too. But let’s not overlook their immediate impact. It would be perverse indeed to leave our youngest citizens out of our investment for economic recovery.

• Bronwen Cohen is chief executive of Children in Scotland