Welcoming the government’s announcement today (Tuesday) that working parents are to get a £2,000 a year childcare tax break, TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said:
“The spiralling cost of childcare is such a huge expense for ordinary families that parents will be grateful of this extra help. It will ease the financial strain that many families find themselves under – despite the improving economic picture.
“The scheme will also help make nurseries and childminders more affordable for low-income families on universal credit who will have 85 per cent of their childcare bills paid by the government.
“It’s good to see ministers also acknowledging that childcare costs don’t stop once a child starts school. Raising the age limit so the tax allowance can be used by parents until their children begin secondary school will benefit many households. It’s just a pity that parents will have to wait until at least next autumn for help – the overwhelming majority could do with that help right now.”
NOTES TO EDITORS:
- The TUC is organising Fair Pay Fortnight from Monday 24 March to Sunday 6 April. It will be a series of events across England and Wales to raise awareness about falling living standards. www.fairpayfortnight.org
- All TUC press releases can be found at www.tuc.org.uk
- Follow the TUC on Twitter: @tucnews
Contacts:
Media enquiries:
Liz Chinchen T: 020 7467 1248 M: 07778 158175 E: media@tuc.org.uk
Elly Gibson T: 020 7467 1337 M: 07900 910624 E: egibson@tuc.org.uk
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