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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Craig Meighan

New York mayor Zohran Mamdani sent baby box by Scottish Government

New York mayor Zohran Mamdani has received a baby box from the Scottish Government.

Scotland's Social Justice Secretary, Shirley Anne-Somerville, said the gift aims to help the city leader develop his own "baby basket" plans.

The 34-year-old's proposal was a part of his mayoral campaign, focused on the cost of living.

Mr Mamdani has previously cited Scotland, Chile, and Finland as examples of where the policy has been introduced.

More than 360,000 baby boxes have been given out to Scottish parents since the launch of the scheme in 2017.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani speaks at a press conference. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

Every new mother is entitled to a box, which is delivered a few weeks before her due date, and includes items such as books, clothes and a digital thermometer, while the box itself can be used as a sleeping space.

This week Ms Somerville wrote to the mayor of New York City and delivered a baby box to the Mayor's Office for International Affairs in Manhattan - a more than 3,000-mile journey.

The Scottish Government offered to work with the administration in New York City on child poverty and cost-of-living policies.

The Social Justice Secretary said: "I read with interest that Mayor Mamdani was considering a baby basket scheme in New York and hope that, by sending a Scottish example, it will provide inspiration to help him to refine and develop his exciting policy.

"Scots share much in common with the people of New York, not least our history and heritage - as celebrated every year during New York Tartan Week.

The baby box scheme was launched in Scotland in 2017 (Scottish Government/PA) (PA Media)

"I'm proud that we can also share a commitment to tackling child poverty and addressing the cost-of-living for the people that we serve.

"Scotland's baby box provides much needed essentials for when a child enters the world, and it recognises the financial burden of those first few months of parenthood.

"More than 360,000 children in Scotland have been supported since the programme was introduced in 2017, with around 90% of families continuing to take up the offer of a baby box for their new child.

"Over the years we have learnt a lot, and my door is always open as the New York City administration develops its new scheme."

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