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Scottish independence: White Paper childcare pledge 'would save £4,600' Scottish independence: White Paper childcare pledge 'would save £4,600'
(35 minutes later)
Childcare plans in the independence White Paper would see families save up to £4,600 per child each year, according to the Scottish government.Childcare plans in the independence White Paper would see families save up to £4,600 per child each year, according to the Scottish government.
Speaking ahead of a Holyrood debate on the blueprint, First Minister Alex Salmond said independence would allow a transformational change in childcare.Speaking ahead of a Holyrood debate on the blueprint, First Minister Alex Salmond said independence would allow a transformational change in childcare.
The debate will give members of the Scottish Parliament a chance to examine the 670-page document in more detail.The debate will give members of the Scottish Parliament a chance to examine the 670-page document in more detail.
Scottish Labour said the document's projections were "not credible". Former Chancellor Alistair Darling called the pledge "cycnical".
Mr Salmond described the White Paper as the "most comprehensive blueprint for an independent country ever published".
A referendum on Scottish independence will be held on 18 September next year, with voters being asked the straight yes/no question: "Should Scotland be an independent country?"A referendum on Scottish independence will be held on 18 September next year, with voters being asked the straight yes/no question: "Should Scotland be an independent country?"
The White Paper, which contains the arguments in favour of independence and is intended as a guide to what might happen if it is achieved, was launched by Mr Salmond at Glasgow's Science Centre on Tuesday morning.The White Paper, which contains the arguments in favour of independence and is intended as a guide to what might happen if it is achieved, was launched by Mr Salmond at Glasgow's Science Centre on Tuesday morning.
Return to workReturn to work
Proposals included extending the support available to young people and their families and to expand childcare provision to match the best in Europe.Proposals included extending the support available to young people and their families and to expand childcare provision to match the best in Europe.
Under its plans, it said children would be entitled to 30 hours of childcare each week - the same number of hours as a child at primary school - benefiting about 240,000 children.Under its plans, it said children would be entitled to 30 hours of childcare each week - the same number of hours as a child at primary school - benefiting about 240,000 children.
Speaking ahead of the parliamentary debate, Mr Salmond said tax revenues, generated by more Scottish women returning to work, would stay in Scotland instead of going to Westminster.Speaking ahead of the parliamentary debate, Mr Salmond said tax revenues, generated by more Scottish women returning to work, would stay in Scotland instead of going to Westminster.
"At the moment, without all the powers of independence, we have managed to prioritise childcare and are increasing the number of hours from 412.5 to 600."At the moment, without all the powers of independence, we have managed to prioritise childcare and are increasing the number of hours from 412.5 to 600.
"Independence offers us the powers to go much further. If we matched, for example, the female labour market participation of Sweden, this would generate an extra £700m in tax revenue."Independence offers us the powers to go much further. If we matched, for example, the female labour market participation of Sweden, this would generate an extra £700m in tax revenue.
"As we progressively expand childcare, the tax revenue generated would pay for further expansion.""As we progressively expand childcare, the tax revenue generated would pay for further expansion."
Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont claimed the proposals were not costed and suggested the Scottish government did not have to wait until after the referendum to improve childcare provision. Mr Darling, who leads the pro-Union Better Together campaign, described the plan as "cynical politics at its worst".
He added: "The SNP have the opportunity to make childcare easier and more accessible to people in Scotland right now - but won't do it as they would rather offer it as a bribe for votes in the referendum.
"They would happily see people denied the chance to earn a living because it doesn't fit in with their plans for Scotland to go it alone."
Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont claimed the proposals were not costed.
Interviewed on the BBC's Good Morning Scotland programme, she said: "Issues like childcare are not just about women sitting at home unable work, but about people who are in work juggling childcare pressures.Interviewed on the BBC's Good Morning Scotland programme, she said: "Issues like childcare are not just about women sitting at home unable work, but about people who are in work juggling childcare pressures.
'Cynicism' 'Not credible'
"So there's not a direct simple 'we will invest in childcare and that means more people will be in work'.""So there's not a direct simple 'we will invest in childcare and that means more people will be in work'."
She added: "The cynicism of it is that you will get it after the referendum.She added: "The cynicism of it is that you will get it after the referendum.
"If they were serious about the policy, if they were serious about supporting families now they could make more progress than they are doing."
She claimed the Scottish government was offering to cut taxes while improving services, and this was "not credible".She claimed the Scottish government was offering to cut taxes while improving services, and this was "not credible".
The first minister is due to open Wednesday afternoon's debate for the Scottish government. Scotland's Finance Secretary John Swinney, who also spoke to the Good Morning Scotland programme, said that after independence was achieved it would be important to "put all of our focus on resolving the issues that need to be resolved as quickly and efficiently as possible".
Asked what would be the biggest challenge, the minister said: "I don't think it easy to separate the issues out. There will be major issues and some of the defence questions [including] the removal of nuclear weapons from Scottish soil and waters which is something that we are absolutely determined has to happen."
The first minister is due to open Wednesday afternoon's debate at the Scottish government.
He will argue that "it is better for everyone in Scotland if decisions about the country's future are taken by the people who care most about Scotland, the people who live and work here".He will argue that "it is better for everyone in Scotland if decisions about the country's future are taken by the people who care most about Scotland, the people who live and work here".
Mr Salmond will also say he looks forward to a positive national debate on independence for Scotland, with contributions from all perspectives and from all sectors of Scottish society, before next September's historic vote.Mr Salmond will also say he looks forward to a positive national debate on independence for Scotland, with contributions from all perspectives and from all sectors of Scottish society, before next September's historic vote.
The White Paper confirmed that Scotland would seek to secure a Sterling currency union with the remainder of the UK after independence, and asserted that the country would negotiate for a smooth transition to EU and Nato membership.The White Paper confirmed that Scotland would seek to secure a Sterling currency union with the remainder of the UK after independence, and asserted that the country would negotiate for a smooth transition to EU and Nato membership.
Child careChild care
The document also makes a series of pledges to be fulfilled if the SNP forms the first government in a newly-independent Scotland.The document also makes a series of pledges to be fulfilled if the SNP forms the first government in a newly-independent Scotland.
These included:These included:
Speaking at the document's launch, Mr Salmond said it was a "mission statement and a prospectus for the kind of country we should be and which this government believes we can be".Speaking at the document's launch, Mr Salmond said it was a "mission statement and a prospectus for the kind of country we should be and which this government believes we can be".
But former UK chancellor Alistair Darling, who leads the pro-UK Better Together campaign, accused the Scottish government of having "ducked the opportunity to answer the big questions about Scotland's future", and said the White Paper was "thick with false promises and meaningless assertions." Mr Darling accused the Scottish government of having "ducked the opportunity to answer the big questions about Scotland's future", and said the White Paper was "thick with false promises and meaningless assertions."