The Scottish Parliament

Questions and answers

Parliamentary questions can be asked by any MSP to the Scottish Government or the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. The questions provide a means for MSPs to get factual and statistical information.

Written questions must be answered within 10 working days (20 working days during recess)

Other questions such as Topical, Portfolio, General and First Minister's Question Times are taken in the Chamber

Urgent Questions aren't included in the Question and Answers search. There is a SPICe fact sheet listing Urgent and emergency questions.

Question reference: S6W-44441

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 12 March 2026
Current Status: Answered by Natalie Don-Innes on 19 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of childcare costs on families with multiple-birth children under three years, and whether it will consider a multiples discount or supplementary funding for these families to ensure that the cost of two or more nursery places does not exceed household income, as highlighted by the group, Pregnant Then Screwed, in its 2026 National Childcare Survey.

The aim of the 1140 policy is to support affordability and improve outcomes for all eligible children and their families, with 1140 hours per year offered to all 3- and 4-year-olds and eligible 2-year-olds and we have invested around £1 billion every year since 2021 to support that.

Families who are not yet eligible for funded early learning and childcare (ELC) can access financial support with childcare costs through either Universal Credit or Tax-Free Childcare. Tax-Free Childcare support is per child, and the upper limit on Universal Credit support with childcare costs is also set higher for families with more than one child. The Scottish Child Payment and Best Start Grant are also both paid on a per-child rather than per-family basis.

All local authorities have the discretion to make funded ELC available to address specific needs, and parents are encouraged to engage with their local authority to ensure that their needs are known and understood.

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Question reference: S6W-44441

Answer