Antony Higginbotham has welcomed new figures showing that this term over 50,000 children in the North West region are benefiting from the Conservatives' 30 hours free childcare offer, with over 9,000 being from Lancashire.
The offer saves working families around £5,000 per year, per child, and has seen 325,000 families benefit across the country in the current school term alone, an 11 per cent increase on the same time last year.
High quality childcare not only helps children get the best start in life, but also supports many parents who want or need to work. Beneficiaries of the scheme have reported improved family finances as well as a better work-life balance.
Alongside introducing and increasing the National Living Wage, and raising the personal allowance, childcare support is one of a number of ways this Government is helping families with the cost of living. Our childcare offer is one way the Conservatives are helping women back into work with record high female employment and a record low gender pay gap.
Commenting, Antony said:
"This is incredibly positive news. Balancing childcare with work is undoubtedly difficult, and this 30 free hours is making a real difference to families doing just that. More parents are able to increase their working hours, able to work more flexibly and spending less on childcare so they can spend more on their families.
Every parent wants to give their child the best start in life and that's why it's great to see so many children and families in the North West benefiting from the Conservatives' support."