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In a symbolic gesture of international cooperation, the Scottish Government has gifted an official "baby box" to New York City’s newly inaugurated mayor, Zohran Mamdani. The gift is intended to serve as a blueprint for the 34-year-old mayor’s campaign promise to launch a local "baby basket" scheme to combat the rising cost of living for new parents.
Scotland’s Social Justice Secretary, Shirley-Anne Somerville, facilitated the 3,000-mile delivery to the Mayor’s Office for International Affairs in Manhattan this week. In a letter to Mamdani, Somerville expressed hope that the Scottish model—which has distributed over 360,000 boxes since 2017—would provide "inspiration" as the New York administration refines its own policy.
The "baby box" concept, which originated in Finland, provides expectant mothers with essentials like clothes, books, and thermometers. Notably, the sturdy box itself is designed to serve as a safe sleeping space for newborns. Mamdani, who became the city’s 112th mayor on January 1, 2026, has frequently cited Scotland, Finland, and Chile as successful case studies for the program.
Somerville emphasized the shared heritage between Scotland and New York, particularly through events like Tartan Week, noting that both governments share a "commitment to tackling child poverty." The Scottish Government has also extended an open invitation to collaborate with the NYC administration on future cost-of-living and social welfare policies.
