I don’t have children myself, but many of my friends do and I also meet many families through my work. I only have to utter the words “childcare” and they turn ghostly white with despair. If you also have children I’m sure you know what I mean.
I don’t have children myself, but many of my friends do and I also meet many families through my work. I only have to utter the words “childcare” and they turn ghostly white with despair. If you also have children I’m sure you know what I mean.
The Family and Childcare Trust have published a report this week, which has found that over the last Parliament the cost of childcare has soared by 33% nationally. Families are now spending £1,533 more this year than they did in 2010, while wages have remained largely static.
I love the plan Labour has to tackle this. We offer a better future for families struggling against the soaring cost and lack of availability of childcare, by extending free childcare for working parents of three and four year olds from 15 to 25 hours. We will guarantee access to childcare for parents with primary age children through their local school, and deliver at least 50,000 more childcare places by doubling the number available at Sure Start centres.
Sure Start centres are a Labour initiative which I’m hugely proud of so I’m over-the-moon that if we elect a Labour government in May they will be saved and helped to grow and expand.
Best wishes, Peter