Scotland to give 47,000 primary pupils free backpacks

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 26 Oct, 13:01 · Archive

Scotland is providing free backpacks to all children starting Primary One from August 2027. The 'Welcome to School Bags' scheme will deliver approximately 47,000 bags to the roughly 47,000 pupils expected to start primary school that year, though this figure may change depending on deferred entries.

The Scottish Government has signed a contract worth £1.35m annually with Edinburgh-based APS Group to assemble and distribute the backpacks. Each bag will contain a pencil case, pencils, crayons, a notebook, water bottle and resources to encourage literacy and numeracy practice at home. Bags will also include information on social security entitlements and online safety advice for families. The backpacks will be available in five colours: blue, green, pink, red or yellow. The Daily Record reports that all backpacks will be manufactured in China.

Education Secretary Màiri McAllan said the scheme aims to 'remove barriers for all at the very start of their school journey' and ensure children 'start school on an equal footing'. The scheme follows the model of the Baby Box, introduced in 2017. According to the Daily Record, the backpacks were a key pledge in the SNP's 2026 election manifesto, though critics have questioned their benefits.

How it is being reported

• SNP scheme to hand free backpacks to all P1 pupils in Scotland to cost millionsThe "Welcome to School Bags" were a key giveaway announced in the SNP's 2026 election manifesto but critics have questioned their benefit.Daily Record · 26 Oct, 12:44
• £1.35m contract signed to give 47,000 P1 Scottish pupils free backpacks next yearA £1.35 MILLION-A-YEAR contract has been signed to deliver free backpacks to every child starting Primary One in Scotland from August next yearThe National · 26 Oct, 10:31

In this story: Scotland · APS Group · Màiri McAllan · SNP

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem