SNP accused of ‘buying’ child named person support

OPPONENTS of plans to appoint a named person for every child in Scotland have accused the Scottish Government of trying to “buy public support” for the policy.

Supporters of the the No To Named Person campaign group at the Court of Session, Edinburgh last year. Picture: Gordon Fraser

The No To Named Persons (NO2NP) campaign group has criticised an event for parents to inform them of the measure, ahead of a fresh court battle against its implementation.

The event, to be held at Hampden Park on June 20, is being organised in partnership with The National Parent Forum of Scotland, the Scottish Government and various other organisations.

It will provide parents with information on the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act, which includes provisions for the named person.

Those who attend will be given a £25 gift voucher, reimbursed travel expenses and childcare during the event.

Earlier this year, Lord Pentland refused a petition for the judicial review of the legislation at the Court of Session but NO2NP appealed against the decision.

NO2NP is now preparing to go to court for a two-day appeal starting on Wednesday in front of three judges.

The legislation would see a single point of contact, such as a teacher or health visitor, appointed to look out for the welfare of children under 18.

The measure is already being rolled out in parts of Scotland including Highland, Edinburgh, Fife, Angus and South Ayrshire.

Supporters say the service will act as a safety net to help families and children if they need it, to speed things up and avoid families having to speak to numerous different services.

Opponents say it breaches data protection laws and the human rights of parents.

A spokesman for NO2NP said: “Having lost the argument over their Big Brother plans in the court of public opinion we now find ourselves confronted with a Scottish Government attempting to buy approval for their discredited state guardian scheme.”

He added: “They can dress it up any way they like by calling it an information exercise or an advice session providing guidance for families.

“But the bottom line is that they are now using public funds in an effort to secure approval with this rather cynical attempt to bribe people into supporting the Getting It Right For Every Child principles which underpin the named person proposals.

“Surely the money would be far better spent on funding social workers who are actually working with vulnerable children and needy families.

“No government should be using taxpayers money in this way to try to buy support for their policies. Especially not one as unpopular and intrusive as the named person scheme.”