Helping parents with the cost of childcare is one of the best ways to help people into work, support families with the cost of living and ensure every child has the chance of a high-quality early education.
I was a working parent while my four children were growing up and I well understand the challenges of juggling childcare and work. I didn’t have family on hand to help me and so I had to use nursery and childcare. So I think it’s extremely important that the Government stands by its promises to help working parents. That’s why I’m pleased that this Government has done more than any other to help parents with the cost of childcare - by 2020 it will be spending a record £6bn a year and we are currently rolling out significant new childcare support measures, including 30 hours’ free childcare for working parents of 3 and 4-year-olds, saving many families thousands of pounds.
If you want to know more about childcare options for your family just go to https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/ for more detail.
This has been an historic week in Parliament as we marked the centenary of most women getting the vote. I’m looking forward to taking part in celebrations all across our local community in Redditch during the year. When I visited 1st Ipsley Brownies last week I was questioned by the girls about my job as an MP, and one of my priorities is to support more young women and girls to enter public life if that is their vocation. That is why this year is extremely important to support more women to enter our public life - we will all benefit from this with a thriving democracy!
