Daycare Trust responds to the Governments new child poverty initiatives

Responding to today's announcements of new initiatives to help in the Government's aim to end child poverty, Emma Knights, Joint Chief Executive of Daycare Trust said:

"In the wake of this year's disappointing figures showing that the number of children living in poverty has again showed no sign of improving, we welcome the announcement of new measures to contribute to the goal of ending child poverty by 2020. It is reassuring to see that the Government are focusing their initiatives on children who are at particularly high risk of poverty, such as disabled children and black and minority ethnic children, and are intended to bring results over the long term.

We are particularly pleased to see further detail on the Child Development Grants that were announced in this year's Budget. Encouraging parents to use their child's free early years education place for 3 and 4 year olds is crucial if we are to help improve the life chances of our poorest children.

We also warmly welcome the pilots announced today that will help tackle the problem of high childcare costs in London, which currently put childcare out of reach of many families in the capital. An extension of the current Childcare Affordability Programme is a positive step forward."

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 Daycare Trust on 020 7840 3350.