New analysis from Lewisham Labour reveals that up to 4,514 children aged from 9 months to two years in Lewisham will be entitled to 30 hours of free childcare starting in September. This extension to all qualifying children between 9 months and 2 years old fulfills a Labour manifesto commitment to reduce childcare costs, helping more parents enter the workforce and lowering the cost of living for young families.
The 30 hours of government-funded childcare will save working parents up to £7,500 a year. Families can check their entitlements at childcarechoices.gov.uk. Additionally, Labour has implemented protections for parents to further reduce childcare costs by preventing ‘top-up fees’ and overcharging for nappies, lunch, and other ‘consumables.’
These changes are part of Labour’s broader plans to give children in Lewisham the best start in life. In our first year in government, we focused on fixing the foundations of our education system by rebuilding crumbling buildings, improving teacher recruitment and retention with 2,300 more teachers in classrooms and 1,000 more in training, and increasing attendance with 140,000 fewer children persistently absent and 3 million school days gained.
We have delivered on the promises made in our manifesto, including serving 2 million meals at our free breakfast clubs, providing more mental health support in our schools, and raising money for public services by ending private schools’ tax breaks. Most importantly, we are lifting over 100,000 children out of poverty by expanding free school meals eligibility.
Publishing the analysis, Labour’s Councillor Edison Huynh said,
“Labour pledged to reduce childcare costs, and we are delivering on that promise. Starting next month, thousands more children in Lewisham will receive support worth up to £7,500 a year, making a significant impact.”
“That Lewisham Council has a strong track record of supporting families and children through its network of children’s centres, family hubs, and Sure Start provision, which have provided vital support for parents and early years development even during years of government cuts.
“We understand that change will take time, but through extended free childcare, greater access to free school meals, protections for parents against hidden costs at nurseries, and the price of sending children to school, Labour is taking real action to help working parents with the cost of living and ensure our children get the best start in life.”