Sturgeon's Baby Box Legacy Questioned as SNP Announces New School Bag Scheme
Appearing on ITV's Loose Women shortly after stepping down as First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon was asked to name her proudest achievement in government. Without hesitation, she pointed to the introduction of the baby box, describing it as one of the most satisfying moments of her tenure.
The former SNP leader received applause from the studio audience, who embraced the idea that the Nationalists' decision to spend over £10 million annually providing parents with a box of essentials—including a bodysuit, thermometer, and teething ring—represented progressive policymaking.
A Costly Gimmick with Limited Impact
Launched in 2017, Ms Sturgeon claimed the boxes, which can also serve as a sleeping space for infants, would help reduce infant mortality and improve child health. However, critics argue they have done no such thing. The baby box is viewed by many as a costly gimmick, a headline-grabbing giveaway that, while pleasant to receive, has done little to enhance the quality of life for young Scots.
This assessment is supported by the Scottish Government's own review of the policy. Yet, for the Nationalist administration, the focus often seems to be on whether a policy sounds good rather than whether it is effective. In 2021, the SNP signed a new £56 million contract to provide the boxes for another five years.
New School Bag Scheme Announced
Having committed significant funds to a policy with questionable benefits, the Nationalists now propose a similar initiative for children starting primary school. First Minister John Swinney has unveiled plans for a 'Welcome to School Bag', filled with items such as stationery, books, and a water bottle.
Mr Swinney's announcement was emotionally charged. 'Starting school,' he said, 'is an exciting moment for every child and their family, and I am determined that we do everything we can to support them at such a big transition point in their life.'
Addressing Deeper Issues
Parents with experience in the school system argue that true support would involve ensuring classrooms are fully resourced and staffing levels are raised. Instead, the SNP's bag initiative appears to overlook deep-seated institutional problems, including funding shortfalls, plummeting staff morale, and ongoing crises in childhood literacy and numeracy.
Mr Swinney claimed the school bag plan builds on the 'fantastic success of the baby box', which he described as 'transformational for so many families across the country'. However, his own officials have reportedly informed him that the baby box policy has made no appreciable difference to the lives of recipients.
Origins and Symbolism
The SNP borrowed the baby box scheme from Finland, where it has been provided for nearly 90 years. However, they omitted a key element: in Finland, expectant mothers must engage with healthcare professionals early in pregnancy to receive a box. The Finnish version is designed to foster medical relationships, while the Scottish one is merely a freebie.
If the policy has been transformational, it has primarily given SNP ministers a talking point when questioned about their achievements. Critics suggest Ms Sturgeon introduced the baby box to reinforce the narrative of Scottish exceptionalism—implying that Scotland cares more about its babies than other nations, such as England.
Historical Context and Universalism
Since coming to power under Alex Salmond in 2007, the SNP has shown a preference for symbolic policies. The flagship 'free' prescriptions policy is a prime example. Before the SNP legislated, half of all Scots—including the young, elderly, unemployed, and low-income earners—already received free prescriptions, with 80% of all prescriptions dispensed at no charge.
The Nationalists expanded this to include the wealthiest in society. While universalism has its merits, critics question why hundreds of millions of pounds were removed from the NHS drugs budget to provide free items like haemorrhoid cream to high earners, rather than addressing the needs of the most vulnerable.
Skepticism and Future Prospects
The 'Welcome to School Bag' is the latest in a series of shiny initiatives presented by the SNP as evidence of its progressive, compassionate politics. Like prescriptions and baby boxes, it serves as a symbol that taps into a sense of Scottish superiority. However, it is unlikely to tackle the underlying issues it claims to address, such as school funding shortages or child poverty.
As one commentator wryly noted, it might at least give children a place to store the laptops promised in 2021 but never delivered. Appearing on BBC Scotland's Debate Night, Mr Swinney seemed tired and unfocused—a reflection, perhaps, of 19 years of SNP governance.
The school bag policy has been dismissed by some as laughable, suggesting a government out of ideas. With the SNP poised to win next month's Holyrood election, the 'Welcome to School Bag' is set to become reality. Much like the baby box, it may exist more to provide SNP ministers with talking points than to genuinely improve lives.
