More affordable childcare places in London will help tackle poverty, says charity
09.11.05

The Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) has welcomed the Mayor of London’s Childcare Affordability Programme, the first phase of which will subsidise over 3,000 childcare places in nurseries across the capital.

According to latest Government figures highlighted by the charity, 41 per cent or 1.6 million children in London are living in poverty with a quarter of the capital’s children living in households where nobody is in work.

Kate Green, Chief Executive of CPAG, said:

“Creating more affordable childcare places in the capital is vital when you consider that London has the highest rate of child poverty in the UK alongside very high childcare costs. Although work can be an effective route out of poverty the lack of affordable childcare places remains a huge barrier to employment for too many parents, particularly lone parents.

“So CPAG welcomes the Mayor’s announcement of 10,000 subsidised childcare places for lower income families by the end of its three-year programme. This scheme is particularly unique as it directly addresses the very high costs of childcare in London. The subsidy will keep the cost of full daycare places down to £175 a week, the maximum amount covered through the Working Tax Credit.

“CPAG also welcomes the fact that the Childcare Affordability Programme will look at innovative ways of supply-side funding the costs of different types of childcare, such as childcare for children with disabilities or special educational needs and childcare support for parents during the transition to employment.

“We’ll be watching closely to see what lessons other parts of the UK can learn from London’s lead.”

Notes to Editors:

1. Child poverty figures are taken from the most recent Households Below Average Income report. The ‘poverty line’ is defined as below 60% of median income after housing costs.

For further information please contact:
Alex Belardinelli
CPAG Press Officer
Tel. 020 7812 5216 or 07816 909302
abelardinelli@cpag.org.uk