A group of Barry Town Councillors want all new mothers in Barry to be given free baby boxes.<\/p>\n
Plaid Cymru councillor, Ian Johnson, says “Hopefully it will reduce some of the inequalities we see among children.”<\/p>\n
The boxes would include clothing, nappies, toys and bedding and would be given to all mothers-to-be in the town.<\/p>\n
They can also be used for babies to sleep in like a cot. The idea is to give all newborns an equal start in life, regardless of their background.<\/p>\n
The scheme is currently being piloted in Scotland and costs the Scottish Government around \u00a3100 per box.<\/p>\n
Jan Hughes lives in Barry and has a 19 month-old child. She says “It would put everybody on an equal footing. I think it’s a lovely idea.”<\/p>\n
Some mothers in the area thought the boxes should only be given to mothers with the greatest need for them.<\/p>\n
“I would use it\u00a0if I was given one but I think not everyone would get use out of it. There’s so many deprived areas in Barry that it would be amazing for some people,” said local mum, Sian Jones.<\/p>\n
The project originally started in Finland and has been running since 1938.<\/p>\n
It has been praised as helping Finland get its low infant mortality rate, which is one of the lowest in the World.<\/p>\n
Ian Johnson says, “It has been a Plaid Cymru policy in the past, so it’s not a wholly new idea. We look towards Scandinavia for suggestions because we are aware their society has worked towards greater equality over decades.”<\/p>\n
Councillor Nic Hodges says it will only happen under certain circumstances.<\/p>\n
\n@LivWaltho<\/a> @VOGCouncil<\/a> actually will only happen if done by Barry Town Council under plaid majority<\/p>\n
\u2014 Cllr Nic Hodges (@NP_H13) February 3, 2017<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n