'BACK in 2016, Nicola Sturgeon, unveiled her grand vision for ending systemic poverty and inequality in Scotland. Amongst her ideas was the universal provision of a Baby Box which had been pioneered in Scandinavia.

This was the glitzy policy that captured the headlines in the run up to the Holyrood elections when the First Minister said: “We promised a baby box of all essential items for all new-borns. It’s a policy borrowed from Finland where it’s contributed to the lowest rates of child mortality in the world.”

However, last week, the leading children’s charity, the Lullaby Trust, asked the Scottish Government to remove its literature from the boxes as it was "not factually correct” to link the box to reducing infant mortality - a bit of an embarrassment for the Scottish Government and its previous claims.

Everyone wants to see much better outcomes for our youngest children but we must work with the facts. The cause of sudden infant deaths syndrome is still very much disputed and the notion that a cardboard box will prevent these tragedies is seen as overly optimistic by many experts. Perhaps that is why a recent study of new mothers in Scotland also revealed that just 14% would allow their new born to sleep in the box.

The cost of the box had also spiralled. Every box distributed will cost the taxpayer £160 with the total project cost rising by £6.3m over the four years. To put this into perspective, high street retailer John Lewis offers their entry level Moses Basket for just £40.

Nonetheless, the Scottish Government deals in billions and £35 million would be small change if the box could be proven to make a real difference in helping ensure children have a better start in life. However, not everyone is convinced. Earlier in the year Nicola Sturgeon’s own poverty advisor, Naomi Eisendstadt, labelled the policy a “gimmick” that would do little to address the real causes of inequality.

So here we have a policy criticised by the First Minister’s own advisor, well over budget and now disowned by a leading cot death charity. You might be asking yourself what the baby box is good for other than attracting headlines.

Tackling childhood poverty, inequality and the attainment gap clearly requires targeted interventions but l would suggest the money would be better spent on increasing the number of health visitors who have such an important role to play in nurturing our youngest citizens and who are such a highly respected and well trusted service.

If the Scottish Government is really serious about improving the lot of mothers and children in deprived areas, then additional focus on local solutions will matter and more health visitors should be part of that.'

As ever Liz welcomes the views of constituents and can be contacted at the 31 Canmore Street, Dunfermline, or via telephone at 01383 720 530 or via email at Elizabeth.Smith.msp@parliament.scot