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SNP childcare plans 'don't add up'

Scottish independence plans to provide widespread childcare, resulting in about 104,000 women entering employment, leave a shortfall of 21,000, according to the Treasury.

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SNP childcare plans 'leave 21,000 job shortfall'

Plans by the Scottish government to get more women into work by providing free childcare involve "wishful thinking" in their costing, the Treasury has said.

The SNP has pledged to provide all three and four-year-olds, and vulnerable two-year-olds, with 1,140 hours of childcare per year by 2020.

It estimates that the policy could result in about 104,000 women entering employment and an additional £700 million in tax revenue which would help pay for the additional childcare.

But Treasury analysts said of the mothers affect by the policy only around 83,000 are not employed.

Even if every mother out of work moved into work - in itself highly unlikely - there would still be a shortfall of 21,000.

– Treasury analysts

A spokesman for Scotland's Finance Secretary John Swinney said:

In terms of our childcare commitments and boosting the number of women in work, it is our commitment to stop wasting money on Trident and on contributing to the running costs of Westminster that gives us the ability to invest in these other priorities.

– A spokesman for Scotland's Finance Secretary John Swinney

Scottish independence childcare plans 'don't add up'

Childcare proposals for an independent Scotland aren't financially sound, according to analysts at the Treasury.

The SNP estimates that the policy could mean enough women enter work to add £700 million in extra tax revenue. Credit: PA

The Scottish Government has pledged to provide widespread childcare, and estimates that the policy could result in about 104,000 women entering employment.

But as part of analysis of the fiscal implications of a Yes vote in the referendum, the Treasury says this number will be significantly lower.

The Treasury's analysis comes after a paper by the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Spice) published in April stated that the Scottish Government had provided no evidence that its plan would get more women out to work.

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