We’ve just seen the news of the scheme to send free baby boxes with fitted mattresses, a digital ear thermometer worth about £45, fleece jackets, bodysuits, sleepsuits, books, anti-scratch mittens and muslin cloths. It’s hoped these boxes and their contents will improve life chances of many babies to 58 000 young mothers every year.
In July, the Scottish Government launched a six-month pilot scheme in Aberdeen to provide free sanitary items for women and girls in low-income households. SNP MSP Angela Constance, cabinet secretary for communities, social security and equalities has expressed her support and it seemed likely to be implemented across the country anyway. However, Labour’s Monica Lennon has launched consultation on a members’ bill to introduce a universal system of free access to sanitary products as a basic human right more quickly. It’s good to see Scottish Labour helping with the project of making Scotland better as opposed to sniping from the side-lines. Schools, colleges and universities would make these available in their toilets.
It makes me proud to see another initiative to add to this evidence below that we are already moving away from Theresa’s Great Brutaldom. Well done to Scottish Labour for rowing with the tide….for once:
‘NHS across UK has much to learn from Scotland?’ The King’s Fund told us this in 2013!
Free care for the elderly, free tuition, bus passes – this is a government for the people.
Talking-up Scotland 
My uncharitable take on Monica Lennon’s consultation on a draft bill, was it’s SLAB once again trying to steal an SNP idea. And the brownie points.
Never trust a Tory Red or Blue.
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I thought my charitable take was very mature of me.
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“Uncharitable” was tongue in cheek . . . Realistic would have been more accurate.
If independence is vital for Scotland, would it be reasonable to describe SLAB (in its current form) as an enemy of our population?
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