BITC’s response to the Scottish First Minister’s announcement on the expansion of the childcare provision
The Scottish First Minister, Humza Yousaf MSP, has today announced the government’s legislative agenda for the 2023/24 parliamentary year.
Responding to the announcement, Louisa Macdonell, Scotland Director at Business in the Community (BITC), said:
“We welcome the Scottish First Minister’s announcement about the expansion of the childcare provision, confirming his government’s commitment to further support carers. We know that childcare is one of the reasons why there are fewer female employees in full time employment compared to their male counterparts, since caring responsibilities often fall on women.
“We need new, innovative policies that will allow all parents, regardless of gender, to better balance work and childcare responsibilities, which could in turn help to reduce the gender pay gap and other gender disparities at work. Whilst its crucial for the government to act, businesses should also be doing everything they can to support their employees to share caring responsibilities, through flexible work, family, and care policies. BITC has been working with employers to consider caring the norm rather than the exception, by fostering a culture that offers flexible working to men and supports them to take on caring responsibilities.”
ENDS
Notes to editor
- Read BITC’s Who Cares? report
- Read about BITC’s research into the cost of childcare
- Find out more about BITC Scotland
For further information, please contact Polly Dacam, Press Officer, at 07713 101878.