§ Mrs. EwingTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what childcare provision is made available by his Department for the use of staff; what is the cost to parents of this childcare; how many parents used the facilities in the financial years(a) 1996–97 and (b) 1997–98; and what proportion of total staff used these facilities in the financial years (i) 1996–97 and (ii) 1997–98. [59725]
§ Mr. StrawProvision is made for spending up to £380,000 on subsidised childcare in the current financial year for Home Office staff (including the Agencies) at various locations. This makes available approximately 160 nursery places for children under 5 and approximately 170 holiday playscheme places for children aged between 5 to 12 years. Subsidised childcare is only 387W provided where there is a value for money justification which meets both staff and organisation needs. Childcare provision is, however, only one of a range of family friendly policies that the Department supports to help staff balance work and family life. Other measures include: part-time working; jobshare; flexi-time; homeworking; career breaks; maternity benefits; and paternity leave.
The cost to parents varies according to geographic location and the age of the child. In 1996–97, 241 parents used nursery facilities and 122 used the playscheme. The average cost to parents using nursery places was £63.50 per week per child; and the average cost of playschemes was £7 per day. In 1997–98, 216 parents used nurseries at an average cost of £66 per week per child. 127 parents used the holiday playscheme at an average cost of £7.25 per day.
The proportion of total staff (excluding the Prison Service) who used these facilities was 2.6 per cent. in 1996–97 and 1997–98.