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03/09/2014
Free Childcare Announced For Two-Year-Olds
Two-year-olds are to receive 15 hours free childcare every week, under new plans announced by the Liberal Democrats.
Currently all three and four-year-olds and two-year-olds from the most hard-pressed homes are eligible for 15 hours free childcare each week. Liberal Democrats want all children to have the opportunity to get the best start in life. They plan to extend free childcare to all working parents from the end of parental leave.
The party would then phase in an increase of the free childcare offering to the equivalent of 20 hours per week for all eligible families.
The plan would be paid for in part by scrapping the Conservative Party's plans to introduce a tax break for some married couples.
Liberal Democrat Business Minister, Jo Swinson MP, said: "Helping families with the cost of childcare is part of the Liberal Democrat plan to build a stronger economy and a fairer society where there is opportunity for everyone to get on in life.
"Extending free early years education to all two-year-olds will benefit children and reduce childcare costs for working parents. It builds on our record in government where we have expanded free early years education for every three and four-year-old and provided it for the first time to two-year-olds from the most hard pressed families."
(CD/JP)
Currently all three and four-year-olds and two-year-olds from the most hard-pressed homes are eligible for 15 hours free childcare each week. Liberal Democrats want all children to have the opportunity to get the best start in life. They plan to extend free childcare to all working parents from the end of parental leave.
The party would then phase in an increase of the free childcare offering to the equivalent of 20 hours per week for all eligible families.
The plan would be paid for in part by scrapping the Conservative Party's plans to introduce a tax break for some married couples.
Liberal Democrat Business Minister, Jo Swinson MP, said: "Helping families with the cost of childcare is part of the Liberal Democrat plan to build a stronger economy and a fairer society where there is opportunity for everyone to get on in life.
"Extending free early years education to all two-year-olds will benefit children and reduce childcare costs for working parents. It builds on our record in government where we have expanded free early years education for every three and four-year-old and provided it for the first time to two-year-olds from the most hard pressed families."
(CD/JP)
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