HAPPY new year to all Courier readers! I hope the festive season was enjoyable, Santa was good to you all and I wish you the best for the year ahead.

After 2016, I’m sure many of us would be glad to ring in the new year in the hope of some positive news for a change. There was certainly good news for expectant parents in the Scottish Government’s pilot launch of baby boxes, which provide a range of essential items to help newborn babies get the best start in life. These boxes contain around 40 items such as books, clothes and nappies, and can also be used for babies to sleep in.

Having a child is life-changing but the baby box will not only help ensure that parents are prepared but also engaged with maternity and antenatal services. The full launch of the programme is expected this summer. I’m looking forward to seeing how it will benefit new parents in East Lothian.

While the Scottish Government is doing what it can to give the next generation the best start in life, the UK Government is doing its best to undermine our efforts. Last week, Scotland’s Minister for Social Security Jeanne Freeman condemned the Tories for their proposal to limit the number of children in families who can qualify for Child Tax Credit and Universal Credit. A family with three children could lose up to £2,780 each year and by the time of this policy’s full rollout, almost four million families across the UK will be affected.

The Tories are so desperate to cut social security spending that they no longer care what the long-term effects are likely to be. This short-sighted measure will do nothing other than increase impoverishment – and shows a lack of sensitivity for rape victims, who will be forced disclose their circumstances to claim support for their child.

Finally, congratulations to Musselburgh’s Gary Anderson on reaching the final of the World Darts Championship.