Research into parents’ views on the Scotland’s Baby Box shows 100% are either satisfied or very satisfied with the overall quality of the contents.

(article via www.gov.scot)

Ninety-nine per cent of parents are also either satisfied or very satisfied with the range of items, the design of the box and delivery arrangements.

Other key findings show:

• Contents were all very highly rated – most popular items were the bathroom/room thermometer (32% said it was most useful item), ear thermometer (22%) and sling (15%)
• When asked spontaneously what was missing most parents (69%) could not think of any suggestions. The most common request (made by 10%) was for new-born nappies to be included
• The most popular idea for inclusion when prompted was a second sheet for the mattress (67% said this would be very or quite useful)
• The majority of parents (62%) had used or planned to use the box as a bed. The main reason given for not using the box as a sleeping space was that parents had already purchased an alternative or received one as a gift (86%)
• Most parents had read all of the information included. The two most popular inclusions were a poem for your wee one (97% said they had read or planned to read) and information on safe sleeping (93%).

During a visit to Moo Music in Balloch near Inverness, Minister for Childcare and Early Years Maree Todd said:

“It’s great to hear how positive parents are about the Baby Box and also find out first-hand what else we can do to make next year’s roll-out even more successful in supporting parents during those crucial early months.

“The Baby Box is part of a range of measures to ensure that every baby born in Scotland is given the best possible start in life. It will help tackle deprivation, improve health and support families, and we’re proud it has already become an important and exciting part of the journey to parenthood in Scotland. That is why our recent draft budget outlined significant investment in the early years to continue to deliver this box of essential items and our wider package of support for parents.

“It is particularly welcome that the most popular items in the box are the ones which are most useful for baby wellbeing but are often the most costly to purchase. I am glad that new parents are already seeing the health benefits the contents of the box provide with many commenting they were pleased with the range of high quality items they wouldn’t have thought to buy.

“I am also pleased to see that the majority of parents are using the box as a safe sleeping space and that the main reason for not doing so is because they already had an alternative. We want all parents to make the choice that is right for them when choosing where their baby sleeps but I hope that as more parents know to expect the box they will no longer need to buy an alternative in advance.”

Article Source: https://news.gov.scot/news/ticking-all-the-right-boxes

Spending on the economy to increase by 64%

(Article via www.gov.scot)

Public spending on economic growth is set to rise to more than double the level by the UK Government, according to Finance Secretary Derek Mackay.

Reflecting the Scottish Government’s determination to seize opportunity and grow Scotland’s economy, the growth package will see spending on the economy increase by 64% – an increase of £270 million – in 2018-19.

Even before the Draft Budget was presented, the Scottish Government was investing more in economic development than the rest of the UK. Spending on economic development last year was equivalent to £193 per head in Scotland, compared to £88 per head in the UK as a whole.

Finance Secretary Derek Mackay said:

“We are absolutely committed to supporting business and growing Scotland’s economy – particularly in the wake of Brexit uncertainty and UK Government austerity – and our investment per head on economic development dwarfs that of the UK Government.

“We have more than doubled our spending on economic growth, with spending per head now more than £100 higher in comparison to the UK Government, and will deliver a growth package to stimulate our economy and provide stability in the wake of Brexit uncertainty and UK Government austerity.

“We are delivering a record £2.4 billion investment in enterprise and skills, a £4 billion commitment to infrastructure and £600 million to broadband, ensuring every home or business premise in Scotland has access to superfast broadband.”

“This is a good budget for business, for investment and for taxpayers and will ready Scotland for the future – but it is absolutely vital that the UK Government commits to remaining in the EU single market and the customs union to protect jobs and investment in Scotland.”

Background

Information on spending on Enterprise and economic development in 2016-17 in Scotland and the UK is available in Government Expenditure and Revenue Scotland 2016-17, Tables 3.6 and 3.7 of the Draft Budget document. Accompanying population statistics are provided in table A1.

The growth package includes:

• £96 million of extra support to deliver the most attractive business rates package in UK with the increase to the rates poundage capped at CPI inflation
• A 64% increase of £270 million in the Economy, Jobs and Fair Work budget as part of a total investment of £2.4 billion in enterprise and skills
• A 70% increase in investment in business Research & Development
• £18 million as part of a £65 million package of investment for the National Manufacturing Institute to make Scotland a global leader in advanced manufacturing
• Establishing a new £150 million Building Scotland Fund to unlock new house building, develop new low carbon commercial property and support research and development
• Setting aside resources of £340 million to provide initial capitalisation for the Scottish National Investment Bank
• Driving regional economic growth by more than doubling our investment in city region deals
• 70% of taxpayers paying less in income tax next year, assuming their income doesn’t change, protecting consumer spending, while still raising additional revenues.
• The Draft Budget also proposes an ambitious programme of infrastructure investment for 2018-19 of more than £4 billion, in line with the Programme for Government commitment to invest £20 billion over the life of this parliament.
• Contributing £756 million towards investment of more than £3 billion by 2021 to deliver 50,000 affordable homes generating up to 14,000 FTE jobs

• Beginning the procurement of Scotland’s £600 million universal superfast broadband programme to be delivered over the next four years
• Investing £60 million in Low Carbon Innovation Fund to deliver innovative low carbon energy infrastructure solutions including for electric vehicles
• Investing £1.2 billion in our transport infrastructure, including key road projects and further electrification of the rail network

Article Source: https://news.gov.scot/news/a-budget-for-business

Public services protected despite cuts to Scotland’s block grant

(Article via www.gov.scot)

Local authorities will receive more than £10.5 billion in 2018-19, Finance Secretary Derek Mackay has announced, as he unveiled a range of measures to protect public services and generate economic growth.

Mr Mackay said despite a cut of over £200 million to Scotland’s block grant by the UK Government, the 2018-19 Draft Budget delivers a fair funding settlement for local authorities.

Finance Secretary Derek Mackay said:

“The Scottish Government has continued to ensure that our partners in local government receive a fair funding settlement despite further cuts to the Scottish Budget from the UK Government.

“We have protected day-to-day local government spending, while increasing the capital budget. Local authorities will receive more than £10.5 billion through the local government finance settlement in 2018-19.

“We are using our tax varying powers to boost investment in public services, and if local authorities choose to use their powers to increase Council Tax, by up to 3 per cent, they will have an overall real-terms increase in the funds at their disposal, to support local services.”

Article Source: Public services protected despite cuts to Scotland’s block grant. Local authorities will receive more than £10.5 billion in 2018-19, Finance Secretary Derek Mackay has announced, as he unveiled a range of measures to protect public services and generate economic growth. Mr Mackay said despite a cut of over £200 million to Scotland’s block grant by the UK Government, the 2018-19 Draft Budget delivers a fair funding settlement for local authorities. Finance Secretary Derek Mackay said: “The Scottish Government has continued to ensure that our partners in local government receive a fair funding settlement despite further cuts to the Scottish Budget from the UK Government. “We have protected day-to-day local government spending, while increasing the capital budget. Local authorities will receive more than £10.5 billion through the local government finance settlement in 2018-19. “We are using our tax varying powers to boost investment in public services, and if local authorities choose to use their powers to increase Council Tax, by up to 3 per cent, they will have an overall real-terms increase in the funds at their disposal, to support local services.”

Economic expansion at centre of spending plans

(Aerticle via www.gov.scot)

Finance Secretary Derek Mackay has announced a number of key interventions to accelerate Scotland’s economic growth as he published the Draft Budget 2018-19.

Using the budget to set out a growth package of key measures to support the economy, unlock innovation and drive increased productivity, Mr Mackay said the Scottish Government was “backing Scotland’s businesses to deliver the growth, innovation and new employment opportunities that Scotland’s economy needs to thrive in the 21st Century”.

The growth package includes:

• £96 million of extra support to deliver the most attractive business rates package in UK with the increase to the rates poundage capped at CPI inflation
• A 64% increase of £270 million in the Economy, Jobs and Fair Work budget as part of a total investment of £2.4 billion in enterprise and skills
• A 70% increase in investment in business Research & Development
• £18 million as part of a £65 million package of investment for the National Manufacturing Institute to make Scotland a global leader in advanced manufacturing
• Establishing a new £150 million Building Scotland Fund to unlock new house building, develop new low carbon commercial property and support research and development
• Setting aside resources of £340 million to provide initial capitalisation for the Scottish National Investment Bank
• Driving regional economic growth by more than doubling our investment in city region deals
• 70% of taxpayers paying less in income tax next year, assuming their income doesn’t change, protecting consumer spending, while still raising additional revenues.

The Draft Budget also proposes an ambitious programme of infrastructure investment for 2018-19 of more than £4 billion, in line with the Programme for Government commitment to invest £20 billion over the life of this parliament.

This includes:

• Contributing £756 million towards investment of more than £3 billion by 2021 to deliver 50,000 affordable homes generating up to 14,000 FTE jobs
• Beginning the procurement of Scotland’s £600 million universal superfast broadband programme to be delivered over the next four years
• Investing £60 million in Low Carbon Innovation Fund to deliver innovative low carbon energy infrastructure solutions including for electric vehicles
• Investing £1.2 billion in our transport infrastructure, including key road projects and further electrification of the rail network.

Mr Mackay said:

“This budget backs Scotland’s businesses to deliver the growth, innovation and new employment opportunities that Scotland’s economy needs to thrive in the 21st Century.

“Scottish business will benefit hugely from our reforms to business rates, including a new growth accelerator and our decision to cap the rise in business rates at CPI, together saving firms £96 million in the next year and helping make Scotland the most attractive part of the UK to do business in.

“We will continue to fund the most competitive relief package available anywhere in the UK, worth around £720 million next year – a record amount.

“We are maintaining the expanded Small Business Bonus Scheme which helps many tens of thousands of small and medium-sized businesses and creating a new £4 million fund to back our entrepreneurs to get started and to grow.

“We are boosting levels of innovation, with a 70% increase in investment in research and development, support for new low carbon technologies, a new £150 million Building Scotland Fund and support for Scotland’s National Manufacturing Institute.

“And our Enterprise and Skills network will receive a record £2.4 billion to invest in supporting Scotland’s economy with additional funding to establish an economic agency for the South of Scotland.

“Our £4 billion commitment to new infrastructure investment next year will support 50,000 new homes, new roads and railways, electric vehicles and the delivery of 100% superfast broadband to every corner of Scotland.

“And to support future investment in Scotland’s economy we will set aside £340 million in future years to capitalise a new Scottish National Investment Bank.

“This budget delivers a growth package for Scotland that is a good for Scottish businesses, good for investment, good for taxpayers and good for Scotland’s future.”

Article Source: https://news.gov.scot/news/budget-sets-out-economic-growth-package