Budget statement from Day Care Trust

CONTACT: DAYCARE TRUST PRESS OFFICE, MOBILE 07834 360870, FROM 3PM ONWARDS, FOR AN INTERVIEW WITH ALISON GARNHAM OR A COMMENT.

Alison Garnham, Joint-Chief Executive of Daycare Trust, responded to today's budget:

"We are particularly pleased that the government has responded to our demand for free extended school places for the poorest children, getting free school meals. We hope in future they will expand on these free two hours a week."

"Daycare Trust warmly welcomes the decision to continue the Childcare Affordability Programme (CAP) into the future, and to provide more flexible childcare to respond to the changing working pattern of parents. We are particularly gratified to see the announcement of the £200 Child Development Grants to encourage contact with Children's Centres, as this takes an important step towards improving the life chances of the most disadvantaged children."

"Increases in Child Benefit and Tax Credits are a crucial development and should help towards meeting the 2010 child poverty target. As members of the Campaign to End Child Poverty we urge the government to go further and faster on this. The additional investment in child benefit and child tax credit will, along with the new developments in children's centres, make a real difference to the poorest children as it will help ensure they will not become the poor adults of tomorrow."

Phone Daycare Trust from 3pm onwards on 07834 360870 to arrange an interview or comment from Alison Garnham.


Ends.

NOTES TO EDITORS

About Daycare Trust

Daycare Trust is the national childcare charity, campaigning for quality affordable accessible childcare for all and raising the voices of children, parents and carers. We advise parents and carers, providers, employers, trade unions and policymakers on childcare issues. We recognise that everyone is unique and we value difference in our communities. We listen to all views and are committed to act without prejudice. We oppose all discrimination and promote equality in all we do.
Daycare Trust is calling on the Government to
1. Meet parents' aspirations for universal childcare services by:
- expanding free places for two, three and four-year olds to at least 20 hours a week, for 48 weeks in the year and
- subsidising out of school activities for all 11-14s and for younger children from poorer families, aiming ultimately to make them free.
2. Tackle the affordability crisis by giving local authorities the means to develop sustainable services in poorer areas and provide free places for those missing out, including places for disabled children, parents needing out of hours care, Further Education students and parents of under-threes who want to train.
3. Set new standards for the pay of childcare workers, either through national benchmarks or incentives such as the Graduate Leader Fund.


Daycare Trust runs an information line (020 7840 3350) on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10am-5pm. Parents can also visit www.daycaretrust.org.uk for information.
Daycare Trust is a member of the Campaign to End Child Poverty, www.ecpc.org.uk.
For further information, contact press office at Daycare Trust on 07834 360870.