Manifesto for Babies in Scotland

The challenge we face

Babies depend on sensitive, responsive care to grow and develop healthily. But many do not get the nurturing care they need. More than one in ten babies in the UK today are living in fear, confusion and distress. That’s more than 9,000 babies in Scotland.

We know what harms babies and what enables them to thrive, but we are still failing to give all babies the best start in life.

The coalition

The manifesto for babies in Scotland has been created by a coalition of charities working to support the rights and wellbeing of babies. With the upcoming Scottish election in May 2026, we urge every parliamentary candidate to consider these recommendations and calls to action. We are also asking candidates to pledge to ‘Speak up for babies in Scotland’ if they are elected.

Why now?

Babies’ developmental needs are increasing, and the impacts of poverty are stark.

35% babies in Scotland live in poverty
Over 14% of babies in Scotland have at least one developmental concern recorded at their 13-15 month health visitor check.

Policy landscape

The 2018 to 2019 Programme for Government included a commitment to improving perinatal and infant mental health services. This funding is ongoing, but provision remains low. Only a small proportion of vulnerable babies, and parents who are struggling to bond or respond to their babies’ needs, can access these services.

The policy landscape is fragmented with a range of early years policies spread across different government directorates.

We are asking all parties to commit to reaching every baby born in Scotland with universal services, and identifying and helping those who need specialist support.

Calls to action

We hope that all political parties will place babies at the heart of their agenda.

We are calling on Scottish parliamentary candidates of all parties to pledge their support by asking them to ‘Speak up for babies in Scotland’ if they are elected in May.

A pledge does not imply support for all these policy recommendations – it is a promise to consider babies' needs and to speak up for them, if they are elected.

Supporting babies’ wellbeing, rights and participation in decision making is both the right thing and the smart thing to do. We need you to speak up for babies in Scotland!