Campaigners blast government's Named Person pack for parents

The Scottish Government is to draw up a Parent Information Pack to promote its controversial named person scheme, it has emerged.

Simon Calvert (left) with campaigners opposed to compulsory "state guardians" plans at the Supreme Court. Picture: Contributed

Campaigners against the legislation yesterday claimed the pack showed ministers have “hit the panic button” as they try to sell the scheme to a sceptical public.

According to the No to Named Person campaign, the plans were revealed in an e-mail sent by a senior communications manager, which said “the Scottish Government is planning a co-ordinated national public information campaign”.

Simon Calvert of No to Named Persons said: “It looks like the government has moved into full crisis mode.

“They’ve hit the panic button as ministers and civil servants realise they have lost the crucial trial this legislation has faced in the court of public opinion.”

An SNP spokesman said: “The named person policy is aimed at protecting children’s well-being.

“It is about supporting, not diminishing, the role of parents.

“The policy is widely supported by leading children’s charities and welfare organisations, as well as by the Scottish Police Federation – who say it will ‘help keep children safer’ – and has also been been upheld by the highest court in Scotland, including a ruling which said the policy had ‘no effect whatsoever on the legal, moral or social relationships within the family’.”