§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what creche facilities are provided by his Department; and at what cost. [104296]
§ Mr. Stephen TwiggMy Department is committed to promoting equality of opportunity for its staff and supports a range of child care provision that help staff balance family and working life. It is currently reviewing its child care provision to ensure the best possible support to all our staff with child care responsibilities.100 full-time workplace nursery places are available to staff working in Sheffield and Runcorn; 143 full-time playscheme places, operating during the school holidays for children in full-time education aged from 4 to 14 years, are available for DfES staff working in Sheffield, Runcorn, Darlington and London; and child care vouchers are provided to staff working in London and, Darlington and parents in Runcorn and Sheffield who do not have a nursery place. In 2002–03 DfES spent £260,000 supporting child care.