Pre Budget - Facilitating Childcare

Gordon Brown today announced a ten-year strategy for childcare; setting out a long-term goal of affordable, flexible, high-quality childcare for all parents who need it, while aiding them to cope with work and family life. From April 2005, the child element of Child Tax Credit increases by an extra £65 to £1,690 a year, compared with an increase of £245 since April 2003, while matching the Government's target to bring it in line with average earnings. Aiding parents to balance work with family life, the Government has announced the extension of the paid maternity to nine months from Apr...