Its hard to believe that 2010 has now almost drawn to a close.
I’d like to use this video message to reflect back on the past year, the achievements we have made and challenges which have faced us all. 

Clearly, 2010 has been dominated by everyone’s concerns about budgets and how best to deal with  predicted and now very real cuts imposed upon us by Westminster. At the Children’s summit, I pledged – along with other Scottish Government Ministers and external partners – to ensure we would improve outcomes for children, despite those pressures. 

The importance of this was highlighted in Scottish Government research published in October showing significant short, medium and long term benefits of effective, early years support. 

Early in the New Year, I will be announcing details of how our new Early Years/Intervention fund will be used to support the work done in the third sector in this vital area. 

I would like to thank you all for your work in the past year to improve the lives of Scotland’s children, particularly those who are most vulnerable, and want to wish you a Merry Christmas and happy and healthy New Year.

Adam Ingram Minister for Children & the Early Years