Working parents in Streatham and Croydon North are used to making sacrifices for their family. But sometimes they’re forced into decisions that just don’t make sense.
Like parents who have to turn down one opportunity after another to get on with their career once they’ve had their child. Like parents who want to work, but just couldn’t afford to because childcare costs were simply too much.
This government wants to make a difference for those parents and those children; to back mums and dads in Streatham and Croydon North who want to work hard and get on. This government wants to give every child growing up here the best start in life.
I’m delighted that this week the largest expansion of childcare in this country’s history reaches new heights thanks to this labour government.
From this term we’re on track for over half a million families to get access to 30 hours of government-funded childcare per week. This was a Labour promise, and is now a Labour Government reality.
This government is getting on with our Plan for Change to unlock opportunities for every child, whatever their background.
This is a critical step in Labour’s mission to give every child the best start in life and wouldn’t be possible without the hard work of nurseries and childminders in Streatham in Croydon North.
Given what we encountered when we took office, this hasn’t been easy: the Tories left behind a pledge without a plan – not enough places, not enough staff and precious little time to put it right.
The idea that you could get a childcare place as easily as a primary school place just a couple of years ago would have been the stuff of dreams, but with Labour, times are changing.
Over 9 in 10 parents are getting their preferred childcare place. That’s nearly on par with the success rate parents see getting primary school places
With this new support, this Labour government is putting up to £7,500 a year back in Streatham and Croydon North’s parents’ pockets. Those are savings that can go towards shopping, a holiday, or paying off a mortgage where previously childcare was either unaffordable or out of reach.
But it’s not just about money saved on nursery fees, we are giving parents choices.
Local parents can make the choice to go back to work or up their hours, helping them to build a successful career while saving money on nursery fees. Grandparents can save time and money, no longer having to spend so much on petrol to help with fetching and carrying.
But that’s not all: we’re stepping up our support for working families through our best start in life campaign. Through Best Start Family Hubs, we’re bringing together trusted information, guidance and support, all in one place – making parenting easier.
This support is more available than ever, with the government’s newly launched BestStartinLife.gov.uk website.
We’re saving Streatham and Croydon North’s parents money when your children reach school too. From rolling out free breakfast clubs in every primary school to the biggest ever expansion in free school meals eligibility, this Labour government is serious about supporting working parents.
This is not just change for parents; it’s change for our country too. Hundreds of thousands of parents can get on with their careers and boost economic growth. Their talent and hard work will get our economy moving again.
Our childcare offer backs parents and boosts growth. But at the heart of all of this is children – this Labour government is committed to breaking down the barriers to opportunity and to giving them the best start in life.
This is what real change looks like – the kind that is felt in family budgets and children’s futures.
