On a visit to TASK Childcare in Glasgow to mark International Women’s Day (8 March 2024), First Minister Humza Yousaf revealed the Scottish Government is committing extra money so staff working in PVI settings can be paid at least £12 an hour from next month.
The move forms part of the Scottish Government’s efforts to deliver its Fair Work agenda and to support sustainability in the ‘childcare’ sector.
The additional funding will see early learning and childcare providers receive a minimum uplift of 7.6 per cent to the sustainable rates they are paid by local authorities in 2024-25 so they can pay staff delivering the funded hours at least £12 per hour.
First Minister Humza Yousaf said, ‘This International Women’s Day, I’m proud the Scottish Government’s cabinet has a majority of women and to have appointed Kaukab Stewart as the first woman of colour to hold a ministerial role in Scotland.
‘Evidence shows that a lack of affordable and accessible childcare for many women with children will result in too many women leaving the workforce, working part-time or taking up work in inflexible employment which pays less and doesn’t make best use of their skills.
‘Supporting families is not only fundamentally the right thing to do, it is critical to our national missions – affordable and accessible childcare supports female employment and enables secure, sustainable employment.’
Children’s Minister Natalie Don also accompanied the First Minister on the visit.