Greens promise free buses for all and major childcare expansion

The Scottish Greens pledged universal free bus travel and a major expansion of funded childcare, including 570 hours for children aged six months to two years by the end of the next Parliament.

The Scottish Greens announced plans to deliver free bus travel for everyone in Scotland and what they called the biggest expansion of funded childcare in a generation. The pledges were made at the party's spring conference in Glasgow by co-leaders Gillian Mackay and Ross Greer. Ms Mackay highlighted proposals to extend funded childcare hours to every child from the week after they turn two and to offer 570 hours for children aged six months to two years by the end of the next Parliament. Mr Greer said free buses would be funded through taxes on the "super rich" and corporations and by bringing the bus network back under public control. Key details: - The Greens would extend funded childcare hours to all children in Scotland from the week after they turn two, regardless of where they live. - The party says this change would provide a funded place for 43,000 more children across Scotland. - The Greens pledged 570 hours of funded childcare for every child from six months to two years by the end of the next Parliament. - The party pledged universal free bus travel for everyone in Scotland, to be funded by taxes on the "super rich" and corporations. - They said the bus network would be returned to public control, ending four decades of privatisation. - Ross Greer criticised First Minister John Swinney at the conference over attempts to "charm Donald Trump," and the Scottish Government was approached for comment. Summary: The party framed the pledges as measures to support families and reform public services and said the policies would be included in its manifesto. Funding was described as coming from higher taxes on wealthy individuals and corporations and from public control of buses. The Scottish Government has been approached for comment. Undetermined at this time.