WARRINGTON North MP Charlotte Nichols is delighted the Government has delivered on its pledge to fund 30 hours of free childcare per week, saving parents up to £7,500 a year per child.
The policy will apply to children from nine months old until they start school. Take-up is expected to be over and above initial projections, with over half a million kids on track to be more school ready by age 5 as part of the Government’s plan to give every child the best start in life.
Further to saving money for parents, this policy will also deliver a boost to economic growth as exclusive new government polling finding nearly a third (29%) of parents say the support will enable them to up their work hours. In addition, the economic benefits will be felt more widely, helping businesses keep skilled staff and widen the talent pool available to boost productivity and raise living standards – two critical parts of the government’s mission to grow the economy.
Charlotte Nichols MP said: “This Government is stepping up to the mark where previous governments have failed to do so. By investing in our children’s future and giving them the best start in life we can overcome the obstacles that make life harder for children in Warrington North and beyond. Thirty hours of paid childcare can be the difference between parents being able to go into full time work or not.
As we remove the barriers to work its important that we acknowledge the pressure childcare places on many families and our government is tackling this problem head on. This builds on the already significant measures our Government have introduced including: Rolling out free breakfast clubs for primary school children, Expanding free school meals to families on universal credit to lift 100,000 children out of poverty and capping the number of branded school items parents are required to buy”.
Jane Gratton, Deputy Director of Public Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “The further rollout of free childcare in England is a welcome development for businesses, employees and the wider economy.
Our research shows too many people feel they have missed out on career progression because of the difficulty in finding affordable quality childcare. Others have quit their jobs, because of the pressures of juggling family and work life.
Removing barriers to employment is a crucial ingredient to help businesses drive forward economic growth. Ensuring parents can access childcare where and when they need it, will help firms recruit and retain skilled employees, who are at the heart of thriving businesses”.
To learn more about what help may be available for you please visit: https://www.beststartinlife.gov.uk/
