Labour launch childcare pledge

LABOUR has launched its plan to boost childcare provision, at one of its popular street stalls at Market Gate in the town centre.
Parliamentary Candidate for Warrington South, Nick Bent, was joined by Lucy Powell MP, Labour’s Shadow Minister for Childcare, to launch their pledges to tackle what they are calling “Cameron’s Childcare Crisis”.
The two-fold plan includes ‘wrap-around childcare’ from 8am to 6pm for all primary schoolchildren and an extra 10 hours per week (making a total of 25 hours) of free nursery hours for all 3 and 4 year olds for working families. These pledges are fully costed and will be paid for an increase in the Bank Levy.
In Warrington, a total of 1,700 young children aged 3 and 4 would be entitled to the 25 hours of free nursery care under a Labour Government.
Lucy Powell MP said: “Families in Warrington face a cost of living crisis of David Cameron’s making, yet millionaires are getting tax breaks from the Tories. Childcare is a key cause of the cost of living crisis and Labour’s bold policies would make a difference to hard-pressed mums and dads.”
Research shows that childcare bills cost more than the mortgage for many families, with these pledges aiming to make childcare accessible and affordable, as well as helping parents manage before and after school care to fit into the working day.
Extending free nursery hours for three and four year olds from 15 to 25 hours for working families means that parents can work part time for the first time without having to worry about the cost of childcare.
Nick Bent added: “Labour’s pledge to extend free nursery care to 25 hours will be worth over £1,500 per year for parents of three and four year olds and this shows we are serious about helping families to boost their earnings and get on in life.”
Pictured: Nick Bent with Lucy Powell MP, Labour’s Shadow Minister for Childcare, at Market Gate.