Making life easier for working families

Labour will help families in Croydon meet the challenge of managing work and childcare, with plans set out in the party’s manifesto for a better future for women which was launched today (15 April).

Steve Reed, Labour’s candidate for Croydon North, said the Conservatives had badly let down working parents by presiding over a cut of 660 childcare places in Croydon.

The cost of a part-time nursery place in Croydon has increased by 23% since 2010, and now costs on average £123 a week – higher than the national average.

Labour’s manifesto pledges 25 hours of free childcare and at least 50,000 more places at Sure Start centres; as well as guaranteed access to childcare from 8am to 6pm in primary schools. A plan to allow parents to transfer unpaid leave to grandparents, so that they can help care for children, was also unveiled.

Steve said: “Today’s announcements show that only Labour has a better plan for working families. More free childcare hours and Sure Start places will undo the damage done by David Cameron’s government.

“With nursery costs in Croydon rising by nearly a quarter under the Tories and Sure Start places being cut, only a Labour government will help parents in Croydon balance work and care.

“Working families in Croydon North are finding life harder, not easier, under the Tories. Labour has today set out a better plan to help them meet the challenge of managing work and childcare”

More details on Labour’s manifesto for a better future for women can be found here.