Scotland’s social justice secretary, Shirley-Anne Somerville, has sent a baby box to New York’s new mayor, Zohran Mamdani, after he modelled part of his election campaign on the Scottish scheme. The box, which includes essentials such as books, clothes and a digital thermometer, was dispatched to the Mayor’s Office for International Affairs in Manhattan, travelling more than 3,000 miles.
Mamdani had proposed a “baby basket” policy during his mayoral campaign, focusing on the cost of living. He previously cited Scotland, Chile and Finland as examples of where such schemes have been introduced. The Scottish government hopes the gesture will help him refine his plans.
Somerville said: “I read with interest that mayor Mamdani was considering a baby basket scheme in New York and hope that, by sending a Scottish example, it will provide inspiration to help him to refine and develop his exciting policy.” She added that Scots and New Yorkers share a commitment to tackling child poverty and addressing the cost of living.
Since its launch in 2017, more than 360,000 baby boxes have been given to Scottish parents. Every expectant mother receives a box a few weeks before her due date, and the box itself can be used as a sleeping space. The Scottish government has offered to work with New York’s administration on child poverty and cost-of-living policies.
