Henry Smith MP has welcomed a commitment from the Financial Secretary updating the House of Commons on Government plans for free childcare.

Henry said;

“I was grateful to receive an update confirming that from 2017, the Government are doubling the free childcare entitlement from 15 to 30 hours a week for working families with three and four year olds.

“I know that this will make a difference for many families in Crawley, with this provision being worth up to £5,000 per child.”

Henry Smith, Member of Parliament for Crawley, asked the Treasury Minister:

“Will the Minister tell us what measures will be taken to ensure that parents in my constituency and up and down the country who are returning to work do not have to spend every penny they earn on childcare?”

The Financial Secretary to the Treasury, David Gauke MP, responded;

“My hon. Friend makes an important point. From September 2017, the Government are doubling the free childcare entitlement from 15 hours to 30 hours a week for working families with three and four-year-olds. That will be worth up to £5,000 per child. From early 2017, tax-free childcare will also be introduced, providing support worth up to £2,000 a year per child for working parents.”