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LibDem leader promises funding for early learning and childcare

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17th July 2025 - The Children of Naval Base Clyde workers recently participated in this year’s summer Kings Camp. Kids took part in the event which is sponsored by the Royal Navy Royal Marines Charity (RNRMC). Over 130 children passed through the doors of Lomond School Sports Hall from July 7 through to July 18, all eager to make new friends and partake in activities designed to promote an active and healthy lifestyle. On Tuesday, July 15, the Base Executive Officer, Commander Jon Fletcher MBE took the time to drop in and see just how important this camp was to children of service personnel and locals. Whilst there, he participated in some of the activities like rock wall climbing and dodgeball. He took time to engage with the children, talking about their experiences and how much fun the camp is for them. One child even asked what it was that Jon did for a job.

by Lucy Ashton

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton has today used a visit to a sports club to set out how his party will give parents more choice and help juggling work and family through funded early learning and childcare.

They would ensure families can access flexible, affordable and fair early learning and childcare (ELC). As well as protecting the existing entitlements and ensuring they better fit around parents’ needs, the party’s manifesto will say that the next steps for expansion should be targeted at working parents and those entering work when funding allows.

This would include:

Alex Cole-Hamilton, left, said: “Every child deserves the best start in life and the chance to flourish, no matter their background or personal circumstances. They need opportunities to have fun, discover their talents and grow in confidence and ambition.

“In a modern, 21st-century Scotland, parents should have the full support of the government in balancing their careers with having children.

“Right now, there are too many gaps in childcare, and too many families are struggling to make ends meet.

“They should have real choice and flexibility over how to organise their lives and return to work if they want to. This should be backed up by increased support for private, voluntary and independent nurseries, preventing a loss of staff from the sector and giving parents more choice when accessing childcare.

“It would also be the shot in the arm that our economy needs. If parents are better supported with childcare costs, they will find it easier to return to work, which will, in turn, raise tax revenues and increase the money available for public services.

“We aim to make Scotland the best place to grow up or raise children by ensuring proper support is available whenever and wherever families need it. If that sounds good to you, you should back Scottish Liberal Democrats on your second preference regional ballot paper.”

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