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The Scottish Government recognises that childcare costs continue to be a challenge for many parents and carers. That is why the Programme for Government set out ambitious commitments to expand access to childcare as part of our mission to tackle child poverty.

However, I would note that Scotland already has the most generous offer in the UK. We are the only part of the UK to offer 1,140 hours a year of funded early learning and childcare to all 3- and 4-year-olds, and eligible 2-year-olds, regardless of their parents’ working status, putting children first. If families paid for this themselves, it would cost them more than £5,500 per eligible child per year.