HC Deb 19 September 2002 vol 390 cc123-4W
Mr. Love

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what action is being taken to ensure that the national child care strategy is able to offer affordable places to all children whose parents wish it in neighbourhood renewal areas; and if she will make a statement. [73543]

Mr. Miliband

Childcare plays a critical role in sustaining and strengthening communities and in helping parents out of poverty through work.

Affordability of childcare can be a major barrier for many parents, particularly women and lone parents wishing to take up employment, education and training. The Childcare Tax Credit helps parents to take up the provision made available through the National Childcare Strategy by giving financial assistance to low and middle income working parents to pay for childcare. Some 158,000 families have already benefited from this help.

Scotland England ex. Greater London Greater London
No. WTE per cent. No. WTE per cent. No. WTE per cent.
>Core Department 0 2125 51.0 2040 49.0
NDPBs 590 7.5 6558 83.3 724 9.2
Executive Agencies 0 0 0
Ind. Stat. Bodies

Wales No. WTE per cent. Nortehrn Ireland No. WTE per cent. Others No. WTE per cent.
Core Department 0 0 0
NDPBs 0 0 0
Executive Agencies 0 0 0
Ind. Stat. Bodies

The Neighbourhood Nurseries Initiative, part of the National Childcare Strategy, was launched in 2001. Over £203 million has been made available to create 45,000 high quality childcare places in the most disadvantaged areas in England. All Neighbourhood Renewal areas are in the target areas for Neighbourhood Nurseries.

Following the conclusions of the Inter Departmental Review of Childcare, the Chancellor announced on 15 July a £1.5 billion combined budget for childcare, early years education and Sure Start by 2005–06. The extra funding will support the expansion of childcare places across England, with particular emphasis on disadvantaged areas through the setting up of children's centres integrating good quality childcare with early years education, family support and health services. Our longer term aim is to establish a children's centre in every one of the 20 per cent. most disadvantaged areas.